November 03, 2012

Handmade with love

Last night, the boys stayed the night with my parents, so Jerry and I spent the entire afternoon and evening watching The Walking Dead--and I am now caught up to the third season. This morning, I woke up wanting to do anything other than watch TV today!

We ended up going to Sam's Club for a few things, and the boys ate lunch at the cafe while I shopped. (Remind me NEVER to go to Sam's Club on a Saturday again. Headache!) Things add up SO fast at Sam's Club! I didn't buy much, but it ended up costing well over $100. Looking at it, you would never think it would add up to that much:
Those grapes will be gone in no more than three days...
The only things not pictured are two coloring books that the kids picked out. I did buy a recipe book, which was expensive--$17--but when I was flipping through it, I thought I would actually make a lot of the recipes. It's the new Hungry Girl To the Max! book. I have a couple other books of hers, and I wasn't thrilled with them. I just never seem to have the ingredients on hand for anything. But this new book looked better, at least from what I could see at the store.
I chose one of the recipes to use for dinner tonight. Southwestern Meatloaf...
I had to change a few things--I used 93/7 ground turkey instead of the extra lean; I didn't cook the onions and peppers first (I just chopped them really small so they would cook in the oven); I used frozen corn; I added 1/2 tsp. cumin; and I quadrupled the chili powder to 1 tsp., instead of 1/4 tsp. I also divided it into four servings instead of five. It ended up being 6 PointsPlus per serving, which isn't bad at all!

A few of my readers have written me recently, asking if I'd like to do a review/giveaway of their crafts/handmade items on my blog. I try to keep all of my reviews/giveaways related to weight loss and fitness somehow, but it gave me an idea.

I absolutely love handmade items, and it would be awesome to "give back" to my readers who have home-based businesses by letting them promote their business or Etsy shop on a single blog post (for free, of course--consider it a "thank you" for reading my blog!). Basically, they can write a little about their home-based businesses for handmade items, and share a link. I will then compile them all into a single blog post.

So, if you are a regular reader/subscriber to my blog, and you have a home-based business that you would like to share with my readers, feel free to send me an e-mail. Please include whatever you'd like about your handmade items and how people can reach you or find your online shop.

Keep in mind, the purpose of this is NOT to bombard everyone with advertising, but to share what your business is about. For example, I know I have readers who make and sell handmade soap, paintings, and running tutus. Tell us a little about yourself and your craft, and include a link to where we can find you (and an example photo of what you make, of course).

You can do this in text format (with or without a photo) or an graphic ad that you create. If you choose to use a graphic, it must be 550 pixels wide or less (photos can be larger, but they will be resized to fit). I'm not going to specify an exact height, but I would think roughly no more than 400 pixels high should be enough.

I haven't exactly figured all the details out yet, but I thought I would at least see if there is any interest first. So if you're interested, you can e-mail me at SlimKatie (at) runsforcookies (dot) com.


Speaking of handmade items, this is the time of year that I really get the itch to start making things! Yesterday, while watching The Walking Dead, I crocheted a new iPhone sleeve. I have a case for my phone, but it still gets jostled around in my purse, so I use a simple sleeve to keep it scratch-free. My old one was looking really dirty, so I got out some bright pink cotton to make a new one.
I slide the phone in and then use the loop to wrap lengthwise around it to hold the phone inside. It's not the prettiest sleeve, but it gets the job done, and I can still get to my phone quickly.

I also need to make the tutorial for the sparkle skirts that I promised to do a long time ago. I want a couple more colors, so I will try and get that done sometime this month.

Also this month, I plan to write a one-year update on my body lift surgery. I can't believe it's been a year already!!

14 comments:

  1. I'd like to hear more about the Hungry Girl cookbook you bought. I also havent been a huge fan of her past books so I want to know how the recipes turned out for your family!

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  2. That is so nice of you to do to list the businesses! I love to buy handmade items and make items for gifts.

    I can't believe it has been a year since your surgery?!?!?

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  3. I would love a tutorial on the skirt soon please. Step by step, as I am not too domestic! I took a look at the cookbook this week and was not sure if I would use it too. Keep us updated on if it worthy especially for the family.

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  4. I shop at Costco, similiar to Sams Club, I am always amazed at how those good deals add up! But I do have a large family so I am saving money in the end. I usually check cookbooks out from the library before I buy to try it out. I tend to stick with cookbooks that have lots of pictures, I am a visual person. $17 seems like a lot for a hungry girl cookbook.

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  5. Prices are just crazy right now!! I only have to feed 3 of us (daughter is away at college) I shop at Kroger and Walmart and it is still SO high! GRRRR! I would LOVE to hear more about the cookbook too. I do fine with healthy breakfasts and lunches but I am always on the look out for healthy supper ideas. I know that you would be honest about the cookbook.

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  6. I can not believe it's been almost a year since your surgery and that we only have to wait two more months until we all meet for Ragnar! I was really looking forward to our NYC adventure with Jen this weekend. Poor Jen is probably going to need some time to recover from her travelling nightmare.

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  7. My mom calls Sam's or Costco the $100 Store. I recently, after a 3-4 year break, renewed my Costco membership. I'm a couponer so I know what my price points are for things. I go in, get what I need that is a good deal, and get out. I rarely just stroll the aisles. That is dangerous. And not everything is a good deal in bulk. Have to know what the prices are elsewhere to know if bulk stores are the right place to buy an item.

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  8. I have a couple of the Hungry Girl books and I feel the same way. There are so many odd little ingredients that I never have. I would have to go to the store and spend a bunch of money on some items on a recipe I may not even like. I will say that the yum-yum brownie muffins are so good! It's just a can of pumpkin and a cake mix...they definitely curve my sweet cravings!

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  9. Katie- I love your blog and I think you are awesome- I love reading about your life. Where did you get that cute bag with he hearts on it? I can see it in your grocery cart in the pic from SAMs! Please share!!!

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  10. Awesome blog, i Love it. I have moved from just running to doing my first triathlon- yay! It was hard but I enjoyed the variety. This book helped me get started http://amzn.to/WmtjO8
    Lots of women think about doing a short tri but never get going on it- It was great fun

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  11. Oh! This reminded me that I need to look up a tomato free lasagna recipe for my husband! heh.

    Very cute iPhone case, I made one similar but with a flap and button!

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  12. I'm looking forward to seeing the post about handmade items. I'm always curious about those running tutus!

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  13. Walking Dead so to awesome!!! And that cook book looks great!

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  14. First of all, I can't believe I missed this post. I am always behind in commenting but I ALWAYS read - figures!!
    I love your iphone sleeve, Katie. I can crochet in a straight line. That's about it. lol BUT, I am trying to learn how to crochet a beaded necklace/bracelet. Those look so fun and I'm addicted to jewelry (even though I have no where to wear them out to!)
    Thanks again for such a great opportunity to show my paintings. You've got great karma, baby ;)

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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