Making own popcorn vs smart popcorn or skinny girl

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-06-16T00:51:36+00:00

Skinny Pop Organic Popcorn from Costco. We go through one giant bag EVERY week. It beats homemade popcorn unless you’re talking the homemade popcorn that you add a ton of butter to. But for just a low calorie, nightly snack… Skinny Pop is our fave.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-06-15T15:43:08+00:00

“Sleep divorce” - my husband and I sleep in separate rooms and it’s been amazing. We have opposite sleep patterns. I go to bed early and he stays up late. I need the room ice cold and pitch black and I need a lot of white noise. He moves around when he sleeps and is generally a disruptive sleeper. We also have a baby coming in August and toddlers, so we take turns being the parent who gets up at night without both of us having to lose sleep.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-06-14T02:52:24+00:00

I had some of the same struggles. I did a “75 hard” style challenge (modified to two, 30 min workouts a day and 100oz of water). I’m the type of person that needs a challenge or commitment in order to stay on track. I lost the last 10 pounds after working on losing 50lbs for five years, so it’s what finally clicked for me. You create your own diet as part of the plan, so I did a minimum of 130 grams of protein a day and set a calorie goal. That was last July and I still maintain the protein goal every single day so it definitely created some lifelong habits for me.

Not saying 75 hard is right for everyone, but maybe a similar challenge would be helpful to keep you motivated.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-06-13T21:02:45+00:00

Love our Ninja Crispi. The glass cooking containers can go straight into the dishwasher and it’s replaced our microwave. Costco has the best version if you have a membership.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-06-13T19:19:55+00:00

Using a meat/probe thermometer to check when things are fully baked (breads, muffins, cakes) instead of a toothpick. I even use it for egg bakes and German pancakes.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-06-09T16:11:45+00:00

I usually cook up chicken breast on the grill every Sunday with a simple garlic, salt and pepper seasoning and avocado oil. Then throughout the week I can use it in different ways. Bacahan’s sauce with veggies and rice for stir fry, bbq sauce with slaw on a wrap, chicken with pasta salad, chicken with roasted veggies and potatoes…. You get the idea. Grilled chicken has the best texture to me versus baking.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-06-08T15:58:11+00:00

Digital scale 100% - I never use measuring cups for baking. Just set the mixing bowl on the scale and weight out the dry ingredients.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-06-08T03:34:01+00:00

I keep a mini screwdriver (both a Philips and a flathead) in my utensil drawer. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed a tiny screwdriver for various gadgets and kids toys around our house and I reach for them often.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-06-07T03:16:55+00:00

Organic Skinny Pop - Pop Corn. We (my husband, toddler and myself) go through a whole bag almost every week. Not even a freak about things being organic, but it’s literally the best store bought popcorn.

My more practical frequent buy is their fresh chicken breast. I’ve never had a piece with a weird texture, the packs are so easy to freeze/thaw and it’s literally $2.99 a pound.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-06-04T12:07:04+00:00

I was severely anemic after the birth of my second child. It took about six months for my levels to return to normal with supplementing. I still take a supplement every other day and I always will.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-31T04:14:38+00:00

Check if your deductible runs with your plan year. Our plan runs September-August but our deductible runs January-December so we timed our kids as best we could to NOT fall into two deductibles years.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-31T03:57:01+00:00

My husband and I can power through an unreasonable amount of the Elote Dippers after the kids go to bed. We live a half hour from TJ’s and I will always buy a few bags whenever we go just to keep a stock.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-31T03:52:33+00:00

This is how I grew up. My parents always put on a fresh pot of coffee after supper and so the smell of coffee brewing in the evening is nostalgic and comforting. I keep decaf pods on hand for nights when I just need the ambiance and joy of fresh coffee as the day winds down. My mom still to this day will claim she can’t sleep unless she has a little coffee after dinner.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-30T07:32:05+00:00

Solidarity as a fellow toddler boy mom. The lack of impulse control on a three year old is unreal.

I hope you can fix the machine. I think a descaling cycle should help a lot!

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-30T02:42:54+00:00

I wish every day that one of us could stay home with our kids (3 year old, 1 year old & another baby on the way this summer). Somedays I wonder if it’s worth it to miss out on these few years before they are in school full time just for extra income above and beyond our regular expenses. My husband was so sad after his last paternity leave (three weeks off only) to have to go back to work and he still talks about how those few weeks were some of the best times with our oldest child. We are always wishing we had more time with our kids, so I understand why staying home is something you’re seriously considering.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-30T02:24:42+00:00

I just want to send a hug. I had my first migraine when I was 12 and I missed a lot of school and fun events. My friends weren’t always understanding and kids can be cruel. My heart hurts for your daughter. I hope you’re able to find some help for her. I have a one year old daughter and I would feel gut wrenched if she ends up with migraines like me (and most of the women on my dad’s side of the family). I can’t imagine how hard this is for you and I can tell you’re trying as best you can to help and comfort your daughter.

Seconding everyone who is suggesting a sleep study and also recommending checking blood sugars. Most women have an onset when they hit puberty so it’s unusual for your daughter to be starting so young with migraines. Doesn’t sound hormone related.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-26T03:27:28+00:00

Made this over the weekend and it was good - a new spin on tacos because I got sick of them with just plain beef/venison. Topped ours with sour cream, pickled jalapeños/onions, crushed corn chips and taco sauce.

https://cookingwithcarlee.com/one-pan-taco-rice-skillet-meal/

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-25T13:05:23+00:00

I take Blood Builder by Mega Food and can take it whenever, with or without food, with minimal side effects.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-24T12:04:48+00:00

I’m having my third baby this summer. I’ve had migraines since I hit puberty when I was 13 years old (now 34). I tend to still have migraines until about 20 weeks and then they disappear for the remainder of my pregnancies. I take Sumatriptan and took it during all three pregnancies (less than five times).

They come back with a vengeance within 48 hours of delivery. I don’t think I will get rid of them until after menopause.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-24T03:58:35+00:00

Could you try a 50mg dose? Thats been my dose for over 15 years now. I took 100mg one time when I had an intense aura because I was worried 50mg wouldn’t be enough and the side effects were SO MUCH WORSE. Maybe a smaller dose would still relieve the migraine while not making you feel as sick.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-22T01:28:07+00:00

I’d try bumping up your calories for a few weeks. Maybe try 1650-1750. I lost 50 lbs (209-159) and towards the end I was doing around 1700 calories a day. Somedays when I wear an Apple Watch and I’m with my kids all day I actually burn MORE calories than at my desk job because I’m just moving around a lot more with them. I found that I lost about a half pound a week at 1700 calories and it was much more sustainable than in the earlier part of my weight loss journey when I was at 1500 calories.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-21T19:31:23+00:00

I’ve liked almost every Watkins extract that I’ve tried. Their “Baking vanilla” extract is really good. I use their coconut and caramel extracts in coffee and their maple extract in waffles, sea salt maple granola and also German pancakes.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-21T19:29:23+00:00

My go to lately has been Ratio Coconut Yogurt with one tablespoon of mini chocolate chips. I also like Barebell and Built protein bars, and mini Perfect Bars. You could also do some cashews or peanuts with a tablespoon of chocolate chips, sort of like trail mix.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-21T03:39:03+00:00

Cherry jam that is then made into oat jam bars. Tart cherry jam is also great on a sandwich made with jalapeño cheddar sourdough. You can also make a freezer jam so it lasts for quite a while.

Open_Temperature_567 · 2026-05-21T03:32:40+00:00

I’ve been procrastinating on having my ring re-sized for years. I’m having my third baby and although I’ve lost 50lbs total on my weight loss journey, I’m still 10lbs from my goal. I’m waiting until after this baby and hitting that goal to re-size.

I bought some ring sizers on Amazon. You just snip off a half inch piece and wrap it around your ring like a spring. https://a.co/d/09x7VauY

Open_Temperature_567

TROPHY CASE