This week's plan.

I am happy that I do not have to spend the next 10 days serving on a jury. I had to sit through the selection process for about 2 days, but at least I didn't get called.

I am starting to feel the effects of eating more frequently and smaller meals: when I went to lunch yesterday, I went to a nearby Panda Express to save time. In the past, I have chosen to get their 2-entree plate. This time I chose the one entree bowl. And I could only eat about half of it before I started to feel full. I felt good that afternoon (even if I did have to resort to eating white rice) and not at all tired.

This week I also tried Bikram Yoga. This practice is a series of 26 poses, done twice each, in a room that is heated to at least 105 with a humidity of around 40%. I had previously done Vinyasa (or, in my mind, "regular" yoga) and was familiar with the concepts of basic yoga, but I was interested in trying the "hot" yoga. A deal popped up on DealChicken that included 5 Bikram Yoga classes at a local studio for only $20 and I jumped on it. (For those not in the area, DealChicken is like Groupon or LivingSocial.) I will say that I consider myself pretty tolerant of heat (I can sit in the sauna or steam room at the spa for quite a while before it gets to me) and since I had previous meditation experience, I think it helped me to calm myself down and "ignore" the heat.

Nevertheless, this was about the toughest workout I have ever completed. There were muscles that were sore that I didn't even think I had used! I went to the class on Sunday and it has taken me a good three days to recover. And now I need to get back. I must be crazy.

I probably would not have EVER gone to Bikram Yoga if I had not found that deal on dealchicken.com. I frequently find deals on these types of sites (groupon.com, livingsocial.com, and many local news stations also have deal websites). In fact, I found a great deal on a B&B up in Idyllwild for half price, $20 of frozen yogurt for $10, and 2 tickets to a new movie release in 3D for only $10. This is a GREAT way to get a really great deal if it is something you are interested in. Recently I found a $50 gift certificate to the local beauty school for only $25. They do massage, facials, nails, hair...and all at a great price! So not only am I getting a good deal by going there in the first place, but now I paid half price.

Now that I am NOT on jury duty, I need to refocus on meal planning. I still have a couple items left from my CSA box, so I need to try to use those before I pick up the new one! I still have not had a chance to make some marinara sauce, so I will do that and have spaghetti and meatballs one night. I also would like to include some fish in our meal plan this week and see how the kids do with it. Pork tenderloins are on sale at Vons, and I need a couple things to fill in the holes. I will let you know how I do with my list and the totals at the store.

Good luck to you!
--Katie