Random thoughts on a brilliantly sunny Memorial Day weekend Saturday:
1. Can you tell me your favorite healthy low-calorie snack you can buy for on-the-go?
I’m at goal for my weight loss and I’m trying out a new eating plan and I need help. 🙂
2. I taped another episode of “What I Bought Wednesday” this week featuring the cutest shoes and this oil that helps with flabby skin. You can see it here.
3. We dropped three of our four children off at camp this week.
4. It was a good week on the blog this week.
We discussed how to save money on a kitchen remodel and my number one pinned project from last year and a top ten list of my favorite yard sale finds of all time.
5. I rewatched North and South (the mini-series) this week on PBS. If you like British historical dramas, it’s a good one.
6. I just ordered these pillows off Amazon. They have the cutest texture and they are so affordable.
And now?
Let’s see all the amazing stuff I found for us this week.
This amazing tablescape.
I love everything she creates, but this was one of my favorites.
See the rest of the table here.
Look at these amazing peanut butter and jelly oatmeal cups.
And each one only has 134 calories.
You can see the recipe here.
The CUTEST ideas for this weekend (and for the Fourth).
Wait until you see the rest of the table (and the cutest charcuterie basket).
This amazing porch.
And these porch decorating ideas.
In random news:
This Swedish home tour of a converted railway station
These furniture makeovers
This clever designer tip
This simple napkin hack
This light and airy London flat
This breakfast parfait
These 20 beach reads
This simple DIY for french doors
Easy no-bake strawberry tunnel cake
19 things you can clean in the dishwasher
These fun ideas for the Fourth (and this weekend)
And this.
If you are looking to save time on cleaning? I think it’s all about prioritizing.
Here are the cleaning tasks you shouldn’t skip.
And one more for the road
Looking for a super simple recipe you can make ahead for this weekend (and the Fourth)?
Happy Memorial Day to you
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.
Ahhhh. It's Thistlekeeping time. Ohhh that porch. And all the Scandinavian gorgeousness. So. For weight maintenance--I know baking isn't really your thing but just in case you want to try, I have found that substituting a fruit puree for about half the fat called for in a recipe still gives you a tasty but lighter product. (applesauce, canned pumpkin are both easy to use). If you have an Aldi in your area, I purchase a lot of their products, which I think are probably riffs on more expensive name-brand ones. I really like their Fiber Now brownie and coffee cake (the lemon cake, not so much). They also periodically have 100 calorie packets of nuts. Cheese sticks are also good. I'm hypoglycemic so I look for items with protein. Hope that helps. Happy Saturday.
I truly know better than to open your new posts when I have a ton of chores to do *Ü* but my coffee and I agreed we are just too tired and too excited not to see all these fabulous ideas this morning! The themed tables are just gorgeous! We're just starting to put in our finished new-built yard so I'm overly anxious to get a patio set up with real surrounding sod soon. I just need heavy patio furniture that won't blow away! Oh, my favorite road trip snacks are pumpkin seeds (crunchy, salty and a protein source), homemade sugar-free gummy bears and beef jerky (read those labels because some are packed with sugar and lots of additives). Off to check out those cute Boho textured pillows. Are they rough? Happy Memorial Weekend!!
Congratulations on meeting your weight loss goal! If you can eat carrots...I know they contain a lot of sugar...I think baby carrots are one of the most satisfying snacks. I also like Jolly Time Simply Popped popcorn. It's only 35 calories per cup. Both of these can be zipped into a small plastic bag for on-the-go enjoyment!
So many gorgeous finds! Thank you so much for sharing my PB&J Oatmeal Cups! Lately, those are my favorite low calorie snack. I also like having mixed nuts and fruit on hand for snacking. <3
I love your posts and videos. I am a blue and white person, also. Where can I get the white blouse with the blue design you wore in this week’s video? Much love and Grace. Nancy Carr
Nancy, You can get it off Amazon! It looks SO HIGH END and it's only $27! Here's my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3uJUuE2 happy day!KariAnne
KariAnne How did you lose all your weight? congrats!! fantastic job!!!
Health and nutrition have been a sort of obsession since the 70's and it has paid off as I have never had a major illness ( or even much flu or colds) and have maintained a good weight. The number one thing I would suggest for snacks and all meals is to only ever eat real food. No aspartame, no hydrogenated oils and as little/no sugar as possible.(there are many sweet options) No cool whip or other foods I think of as fake foods. All of these create inflammation in your body and can cause weight issues. Ok off my soapbox now :) There are many books and blogs that give so much info on this. You are a rockstar to manage this much weight loss, I think that is amazing and a lot of work. This calls for a big family gathering with decorations, candles, music and fun celebrating you!
Ditto to all Jillian’s advice! It really works.
KariAnne Congratulations! That’s so amazing! I love all your beautiful shares and I really appreciate being included! Have the best Memorial Weekend!
I teach weight loss classes at my hospital and had a patient recommend mushroom jerky. Haven't tried it but it looked interesting and lots of variety..bit spendy but might be a great treat. Congratulations on your achievement! Hope you have a good re-entry plan as that's critical for permanent wt loss😉
That photo of your dog is so adorable! A favorite go to snack for when you are on the go are RX bars. They are made with good ingredients. You know I am not eating sugar these days. I can through them in a purse or car and go. Thank you for sharing my furniture makeover project. It means so much, sweet friend.
I always have a protein bar in my purse. I love the chocolate ones and they make me think I am really cheating, but I'm not. Try them.
Always a great read. I don't see the link for "cleaning tasks you shouldn't skip". Help?
Same here.
KariAnne, your weight loss journey has been so inspiring! You truly do look Amazing! Better still, I know you feel that way! Thank you for sharing my patriotic decor ideas! Have a great weekend!
A dog toy becomes ART, amazing. Wonder what kind of camp your kids at their ages attend. . . . .
I get a lot of veggie straws, popcorn, carrots, and protein bars but I am always on the look out for more ideas of healthy snacks. North & South based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novel right?? I love the 2004 version with Richard Armitage. Which one do you watch?
Yum! Now I am starving! Since I work far from places to pick up food-I take versions of lettuce wraps with me. Whatever veggies I have left over from previous meals I wrap in lettuce and take some type of dip. I make all sorts of dips/sauces most also full of veggies. Delicious low calorie (depending on what you put in the wrap) and satisfying. Thanks for the decorating ideas and the weekly wrap up!
Wishing you and your family a safe and blessed Memorial day. Joan,Marion and Marilyn
I am always a fan of the zero foods on my WW plan...which amounts to raw veggies and lots of fruit. The less processed the better! Don’t forget to drink half your body weight in ounces of water. So proud of you for that weight loss. Not to my goal yet but I’m happy with the journey! Happy Memorial Day, friend!
I LOVE the sunglasses you wore on FB today!!! Can you please let us know where to buy them. They are super classy 😍
Of course! I got them off Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fTm10z Here you go! happy day, karianne
Yes please let us know about the sunglasses! They are adorable!! Happy Memorial Day!❤️🤍💙
Linda, Of course! I got them off Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fTm10z Here you go! happy day, karianne
Well I like Kind bars. Don't know how healthy they really are, but I like them.
I cannot find where you post about where you buy product you show!
You need a tag line for the dog pic “They threw me out again, I’m annoyed!” lol
KariAnne..treats.. Put 1/4 cup of plain almonds (no salt) and 1/4 cup of raisins in a baggie and carry them with you. No refined sugars, no processed foods. An occasional rice cake is very low calorie (but stay away from any that are salted) lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Give yourself an occasional "something sweet". And lots of walking!! I walk 10 miles a day! And drink your water.
I can understand why your painted concrete porch was the most pinned...it's gorgeous! My go to grab and go healthy snack is a banana or an apple. They're both around 100 calories and pretty filling. Thanks so much for sharing my DIY concrete planter! Have a wonderful Memorial Day!
Karianne I always have a small bag of almonds or mixed nuts in my bag. (Not the oily salty cocktail mix, one that I put together myself.) Also, just throw an apple in your purse. Within reason, it's not really fats that will put weight on, it's the carbs, so watch the bars. Many of them are pure sugar. But there are some that are high proten, low carb. If you're out and about and need to pick up a snack, an unsweetened Greek yogurt can be nice. (At home it's great with fresh berries.) Even a lovely peach or plum this summer.
Congratulations on meeting your weight loss goal! Hard work pays off. Enjoy your weekend!
KariAnne - You are glowing these days, such an unbelievable accomplishment to lose that weight. Thanks for inspiring us all. RX bars for me too.
Congratulations on reaching your weight loss goal; that is so amazing KariAnne! I'm so inspired by your weight loss journey and because of you, I'm giving it a go too. Imagine my surprise when I clicked on the breakfast parfait link it and it opened up to our blog - lol! Thank you SO much for sharing our link :). Sara
Congratulations KariAnne!! As a lifetime weight fighter, I’ve learned a few things. During the week, try these- *forget the sweets! After a while you’ll never look back. That dreamy pastry will still be there next week, month or year, and it will taste the same. You remember it, right? *Embrace the feeling of hunger. What a concept! I remember days when I grazed all day without ever really being hungry.. *Do intermittent fasting. I exercise in the morning, walk the dog, and before I know it it’s 11-11:30, and I eat either lunch or breakfast then. *Best snack? Almonds or other nuts. They keep you feeling satisfied for hours. Splurge on the weekend and enjoy it knowing you aren’t sabotaging your weight loss. I’m 73 and maintain a healthy lifestyle without being psycho about food.
Karianne, you look awesome! I'm keto and it's what works for me. I agree with Susan. I found the intermittent fasting most beneficial. Breaks a stall. Good for the system. I rarely make "faux" sweets. I'm a cook and nothing beats the real thing. If I gotta have it, I'm holding out for the real deal. Are you a sandwich eater? Try Maria Emmerich's PSMF bread. I won't tell you it tastes just like bread. The taste is okay; doctored up, even good. But it acts like bread (sliced thin) and holds up to any sandwich or burger you throw at it. It's made with egg whites and egg white protein powder. Simple. I always long for something kind of fresh and crunchy. Those Oh Snap pickles in various flavors fill the void. They are crispy, just the right amount and fairly easy to eat while traveling as there's not a lot of juice in the bag, although I have had a bag or two with more juice than some. Mostly, be vigilant. If the scale goes up 5 lbs, time to reign things back in. You've done awesome and I pray you have the best of luck in your journey!
String cheese or ten pretzels
Oh, Karianne! You look fabulous! I would really like to know what program you used. I need to loose 100 lbs. also and you have very much inspired me. Congratulations on your great success!
You are the sweetest! I'm doing a program called Optavia which has their food and healthy protein and vegetables! Hope this helps! happy day!KariAnne
Thank you so much my sweet friend for sharing my summer tablescape! I appreciate you so ouch!!
“Much”
I'd like to say that intermittent fasting changed my life. It is so easy. Whatever time you finish eating at night, just look at the clock, and don't eat anything caloric until that time the next day.. So if you finish dinner at 8:00 PM, just don't have anything caloric until 8:00 AM. You can have herbal teas and seltzer with lime etc in the evening, and if you are up early you can have black coffee or tea with lemon until it is your "time." That is what's known as 12/12. You don't eat for twelve hours, including when you are sleeping, and then you can eat within the next twelve hour window. I've been doing this for four years now, and almost immediately my blood sugar stabilized. Twelve hours is when the magic starts to happen, so for the past two years, I've been doing 16/8. I don't eat calories for 16 hours. Basically I don't eat in the morning, I just have tea, water etc. I know we were taught that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but now there is a ton of research supporting this. When I first heard about 16/8 I was sure I could never do that. I worked up slowly, and now, honestly, it is so easy. I've told you before, but you look wonderful. It's not so much the weight loss, although that is a great accomplishment, it's the happiness. The glow. The beautiful heart.
Old Wisconsin Turkey Bites are a good on-the-go protein snack! You can find them at Walmart!! Also, I agree with the above comment - you are positively radiant!!! xoxo
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Im doing the happy dance with you! This is a tremendous accomplishment, KariAnne!!! You have got this maintence thing. You can do it!! Nuts such as almonds and walnuts are a good grab and go snack, but watch the amounts. Though nutritious they are high in calories. It will always be calories in/calories out even for the healthy foods. Other snack ideas: hummus and veggies to dip, guacamole to go cups (Walmart) and veggies, homemade energy bites ( lots of recipes on Pinterest), homemade chia puddings in various flavors (Pinterest), 1 to 2 Tbsp nut butter and an apple, roasted and seasoned chickpeas (Pinterest) and when I feel like chips I go for something healthier than corn chips or potato chips. I like Terra's sweet potato chips/no salt and Simply 7 Lentil Chips....32 of these chips are 140 cal, .5g sat fat, and 13g carbs and O sugars. They also have some tumeric. Also, flavored water is great and green smoothies with a bit of fruit and protein powder. What I have found is eating healthy takes thought, planning, and some work. I bought small reuseable containers to pop in my purse to take homemade items. Read labels, a lot of the " healthy," ready made foods, are high in sugar, fat, or calories. They are convenient, but add up if consumed routinely. I try and make things ahead and freeze. You have come this far in your journey, you can do this!! So many of us are on the maintence journey with you!!
Those pbj bites look awesome! The only thing that has worked for my weight loss is to up my hydration. My new favorite that you'll need to try is Zios health. It's ridiculous - I have it and am able to clean my house and go for an extra walk each day!