Energy Trail Mix

Since my friends and I are getting ready to go on our Fourth Annual Girls-Only Camping Trip, I thought it would be a good time to share with everyone my favorite trail mix recipe. This recipe doesn't stray much from the 'typical' trail mix and is pretty much what you can buy pre-mixed at the store. Except for 1 big thing: The Price.

Ingredients:
1/4 c. Sunflower Kernels, dry roasted
1/2 c. Raisins
3/4 c. Pistachios, roasted and salted
1 1/8 c. Almonds, unsalted
1 1/2 c. Peanuts, unsalted



Directions:
1. Dump it in a bowl
2. Mix it together

Review:
Now obviously, I love this recipe because of the cost. It is significantly less money for much more trail mix. Another great thing is that I know EXACTLY what is going into my body. I'm not really referring to the Organic jargon that many people are into, I'm talk about calories, protein, energy, etc. When I first decided to make this trail mix, I wanted something that would give me energy right before I work out, and less than 200 calories. So, I worked the numbers.

Using the nutrition facts, I calculated how many calories there were for each of the five ingredients. An entire batch (3 1/2 cups) of Energy Trail Mix is 2656 calories. Then I used cross-multiplication to figure out how many cups would give me 200 calories and came up with 0.26 cup.

So, each serving is 1/4 cup with 182 calories, 6.6 grams of protein, and 14.4 grams of fat.  .....I really don't know what all that means as far as comparing it to pre-mixed trail mix. But I DO know that it tastes good, its cheap to make, and it gives me energy.

I'm taking a few packs with me camping this weekend. Check out another trail mix recipe I made up here.

Fall 2015 Bucket List

This post is just to document that we made the list before we completed the Bucket List items. We'll update you on what we actually did at the end of November. 

And also to give our readers some ideas for things to do for Fall. Did we leave any out? See how many you can do! Enjoy!

Update #1 | Update #2 | Update #3

Using Spreadsheets to List

Making lists is the most basic way to use Excel Spreadsheet (or similar program). Normally making a list using a spreadsheet tool would be considered a waste of time, because it pretty much is. If you're making a one time list, that is going to have items which will be marked off once, then discarded, then yes, using a spreadsheet to make a list is a waste of time. However, there are several occasions where using a spreadsheet to make lists would be beneficial and save time.

Now, just a disclaimer, when I say "save time," I mean save time over time. All spreadsheets take at least a bit of time to set up, but once they are designed and in use, they save you time on the day to day. Here are 3 ways I have used spreadsheets maximize my list-making potential.

1. Grocery List. If you are like me, you usually buy the same foods at the grocery. Having a coupon is an exception. But lets all be honest, we are all creatures of habit. For example, if you don't typically buy cranberries, you are more than likely not going to wake up one day and think, "hmm... I think I'll buy some cranberries," or "hey... I think I need to start putting hairspray in my hair." If you haven't done it before in your life, why would you start now? Anyway, I'm getting off topic.

Lets assume that you are always going to get the same grocery items at the store. Now obviously, some things run out earlier than others, so you're not going to need the same list for every grocery experience.

Here's where a spreadsheet can help you: A master list. I found this trick in an organization book, and sometimes I use this method when I shop. You have the master list on the fridge and then as you run out of things during the week, you just put an X beside them. On grocery day, you don't have to think about what you've run out of, or rummage through your cabinets and fridge.

Using a spreadsheet to make your grocery list can save you time in several ways. Firstly, you don't need to take time to actually write out your list; its already written. But lets get real, actually writing the words "eggs" or "rice" or "turkey" doesn't take that much longer than writing 3 X's.

A real time-saver is the aspect I mentioned above: you save time by placing X's as you run out, NOT the day before you go to the store.

Now, here's the game-changer.... In my grocery spreadsheet I have items divided by section in the grocery. This helps me because, I usually go through the store a very particular way, and its always, 100% of the time, the same. So, lets say you get to the store and you look at your regular hand-written non-excel list. You know that it would be a huge time-waster to not grab all of your produce at the same time while you are on that side of the store, so you do just that. You put bananas, tomatoes, strawberries, and carrots in your cart. You move along down your list, and likewise through the store. About halfway through your trip, you realize you forgot apples, so you go back to produce, get the apples, and then pick up where you left off.

If you're like me, when I go into the grocery with an unorganized list, its almost as bad as not having a list at all.... It wastes so much time and makes me thoroughly frustrated. So, if you use a spreadsheet, you can organize via section of the store you shop. Spreadsheets are also very easy to edit, so if one day you DO decide you need cranberries or hairspray, hey go for it!

Every week or month, just print a new page. I also have separate lists for different stores. 

2. Record Keeping. Saying "record keeping" really opens up a can of worms, because that could mean anything.... But let me just elaborate. Using a spreadsheet to help you keep track of items where you may need several aspects of each list items, can just help you in remembering what you've done or what you need to do. To elaborate more, I'll show our "Moving Address Change List."

Now, I actually found this idea online somewhere, when I was researching places that require address changes when you move, just so you know. Anyway, this spreadsheet is helpful because Nathan and I were able to work together in getting this done. This also helped us keep track of things we still needed to get done. 

Sometimes, its important to not only have the primary list, but also have specific information going along with that list. If I had to guess, I'd say this is the most common use of spreadsheet among all users. Spreadsheets, in essence, are a never-ending table, so many times, when people want to make a table, they use excel spreadsheet or another spreadsheet service.

In this case, we wanted to keep track of numbers we called, representatives who we spoke to, and dates we completed the address change. This was a Google Sheets spreadsheet so that Nathan and I could both access and edit the table in real time. Additionally, we could access this on any device with internet. Google Sheets makes collaboration very easy.

Now, we can print off this completed page and save it with our important documents. 

3. Address Lists. I realize there are those people who have a physical address book. The people that flip through a tiny leather-bound book and see hand-written addresses, then write letters using textured stationary and antique stamps. I like those people, and I appreciate their style, but I can't even pretend to be one of those them. Yes, I'm the girl that makes a spreadsheet for everything, and I'm not ashamed of it. 

Anyway, this is a spreadsheet that I would suggest everyone to have, especially if you don't care that your Christmas Card addresses are printed on labels (we'll get to that later). 

We have a spreadsheet with a bunch of addresses. It pretty much has everyone we know, due to our wedding invitations going out a year and a half ago. We have tabs for Family and Friends, Old Friends, and Acquaintances. Different occasions may require different addresses, so we have them separated to find people easily.

Note: Names and addresses are grayed out for privacy. Also, obviously this screenshot is old because Lauren and Blake live together now!

This tool is handy in several ways. Firstly, you can EASILY search for people, simply by using the 'find' command. Secondly, you can sort or filter your spreadsheet based on state, last name, or whatever. Thirdly, and most importantly, you can use an address spreadsheet to create labels in a jiffy. It takes some getting used to as far as what options to click, but once you have it down, it is SO fast. Again, this is a case of saving time in the long run but investing more time in the beginning.

Another reason I prefer to use a spreadsheet to store addresses is because they can easily be changed. ALSO, if you use Google Sheets you can share this with all of your family members. 

Additionally, as with all spreadsheets, you could add another column on the edge titled "Christmas Card 2014" or "Moving Announcement" or "Birthday Package" or whatever, that way you can keep track of what you have sent people. Its just a thought.

These are only 3 useful ways to use Spreadsheets to List. The possibilities are literally endless. Tune in next time to read about Using Spreadsheets to Schedule. 

Other Spreadsheet Posts
Tips & Tricks | List | Schedule | Organize | Calculate

Fantasy Football Predictions

For the last eight years or so, I have been playing fantasy football. While our league and a few managers (the other guys I play with are referred to as owners or managers or whatever, depending on how I'm feeling) have primarily stayed the same, there are two things that remain consistent...I have never won any fantasy football league, and my dad has never won a playoff game. Could this be the year that I win and Dad makes it to the semi finals...?! Maybe. Read on to see my hilarious predictions! (Note here: these predictions and the commentary is based on what each team currently has. This will change as players are injured, trades are made and players are taken off of the free agency. Also, I'm not going to comment on every team...I will pick my top three, a wild card and a prediction for missing the playoffs. And yes, the league is Lord of the Rings Themed.)

TOP THREE in no particular order.

The Rubber Ducky Rohirrim! (Kevin Koehler)

That's right! I'm picking my dad to exorcise his playoff demons and make a deep run into the playoffs! This may seem like a bit of a biased pick, which is fine, because it is. I'd be just as happy if Dad won the championship as I would be if I won. His WRs are strong, and he has THE Quarterback, Tom Brady, at the helm once again. I think that Brady will probably come out furiously after the Deflategate scandal, and will lead Dad to his first playoff victory...and perhaps more! Know what else he has? Smarts! Dad's only enemy is that he can overthink his team, but if he makes the right moves during the season, watch out! 

Riders of Romohan! (Colin Capps)

I'm not sure that any team can beat Colin, really. Injuries devastated the Riders last season, but did that even hinder him? It doesn't seem like it! He still managed to win his second championship in Middle Earth, becoming the only manager to ever win twice. While I will admit that I'm still a little sore over losing to him in the playoffs last year, Colin has my vote to be the first to win three Championships over the next few seasons. He plays the waiver wire well, and even if injuries come his way, he can rebuild his team and make another run as defending Champ.

Russeldell Elves (Jonathan Barrett)

Colin's massacre of my team in the playoffs is a bit closer to my mind since it happened recently but I haven't forgotten my only trip to the Championship! Jonathan's team made a furious comeback those many moons ago with only three or four players left to stomp me into the dirt for his first championship....jerk. But, I give credit where credit is due (and not just because he's my brother from another mother), so here is to you, O Mighty One! Jonathan has what Colin and my dad have...the brains to build a team to win. Jonathan trades right, and picks up the right people off of the waiver wire, and that makes him dangerous. He was left with a crappy team to pick keepers from, and bear-ly (hahahaha...bears) missed the playoffs last season. This season, it would genuinely surprise me not to see Jonathan make a championship run.

WILD CARD

Prancing Ponies! (Seth Svebakken)

Seth has been in last place the last two seasons, but no more! I sent him the top WR in a trade during the offseason, and Seth has drafted well. Barring any injuries, I think that Seth will make the playoffs this year. Romo gets a ton of points, and Julio Jones will be a PPR monster. The only question marks I have for him is will his running backs show up, and will he be able to avoid the injury bug? 

NO PLAYOFFS

Andwise Puddifoot! (Jake Thompson)

It's hard not to be intimidated by a team that's named the Puddifoots. It is so intimidating, in fact, that Jake himself was scared, and boy, did it affect his drafting! Not sure why Jake drafted 4 running backs and only one wide receiver in the first five rounds, but he did. He does have great RBs, however, in our new PPR format, I think he will struggle. However, Jake is one of the greatest fantasy football managers I know. He has years of experience in PPR formats, and has won fame, glory and a lot of money from playing in other leagues. If he does miss the playoffs this year, I believe that he will make a roaring comeback to compete next season (since we are semi-keeper). As an added bonus to this, now that I've commented on Jake's team, I predict that when he and I play, he will punish me by a league-record 353 points! 

ALTERNATE NO PLAYOFFS

Minas Morgul Scream! (Nathan Koehler)

I don't have a lot of faith in my own team. I do have the best quarterback in Andrew Luck, and I feel that I am solid at both receiver and running back, but that may not cut it. I haven't seen the second round of the playoffs in years, and I tend to trade my team right out of contention. I will probably have to rename my team to the Wilhelm Scream, and when I scream while I look at my scores this season, you now know why. The Koehler Curse will continue, and I will have to rebuild for next season already. There's always next year!

Labor Day Weekend as told by Selfies

Saturday Night: Pentatonix Concert. In June, we bought tickets to go see PTX at Bridgestone Arena, and the concert day finally arrived! I had seen them in concert 2 years ago when my parents came to visit me during my internship in Maryland. The venue in Maryland was much smaller, so it was a different concert with a different sound, but the concert this weekend had a much higher energy. 

Also, the PTX's song library has definitely grown, so they had more songs to choose from at this concert. It was a great night and an awesome concert!!

Sunday: Relaxing at the lake. My family was camping all weekend at Bumpus Mills campground on Lake Barkley, so we decided to drive up for a few hours and relax with them. We decided to decline actual camping this year after last year's Nathan-being-miserable and me-getting-food-poisoning fiasco. 

Anyway, the main events at the campground on Sunday included riding around on the boat for a bit, eating grilled chicken legs, and me starting a fire with flint! I had a good time, and Nathan didn't die from being outside (although he insists he was close), so it was a successful day.

Sunday Night: Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation. Last week, we worked our way through watching the first 4 Mission Impossible movies and capped the marathon by going to Bowling Green to watch the newest installment, Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation. We both liked the movie a lot, and I would recommend people to go see it.

Since all of the movies are fresh on my mind, I will now rate them all based on how much I liked them. Warning: Spoilers for the first 4.

1. Mission Impossible. You literally don't figure out who the bad guy is until the very end! If this wasn't the first movie, I might not rate it number 1.
2. Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation
3. Mission Impossible III. I liked this one because he actually had a more of a motivation to complete the mission, since his wife was abducted.
4. Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol. This one is good. I liked the high intensity scene when Ethan is climbing the building and his suction gloves stop working and the scene after that.
5. Mission Impossible II. This was the only one that I really didn't like. I have no idea why, I just didn't like it. Maybe its because there were too many instances with face-pulls.

One thing to note with Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation is that Ethan Hunt is looking pretty old...

Monday: The Historic Railpark Train Museum. Even thought we and Nathan's parents have been talking about going to the Train Museum in Bowling Green for months, Monday's events were an impromptu adventure! We loved the history and interesting aspects of going through actual train carts (even though it can easily induce claustrophobia!) and the neat intricacies of the huge model train setup. 

We spent quite a bit of time learning about how the railroad system influenced so much of American and Bowling Green history. Afterwards, of course, we got ice cream.

It was a good weekend!

Make a Mosaic using Old Magazines

I decided to start this project because of a friend's Bridal Shower. Her shower was going to highlight the fact that her new name was going to start with a T, so all of the bridesmaids were supposed to provide Ts for decoration for the party and eventually decor for the couple's new home.

First, I gathered some old magazines. Note, that the pages do not necessarily need to be glossy. Many of the pages in these "Kentucky" magazines were not glossy.

I decided I wanted the color scheme to be Teal and Gray. The Bride had informed me that these were going to be the colors of the couple's future kitchen. I gathered pages with gray, blue, and green (since teal is a harder color to find) and started cutting them into little squares about 1 cm x 1 cm.

Using a piece of white card stock, I sketched out the desired letter. 

Advice: If you are planning to frame your mosaic, choose the frame FIRST and then trim your card stock to fit the frame. This is much easier than trying to find a frame that will fit your finished mosaic.

Then, I started gluing all of the pieces of magazine to the card stock using a clue stick.

After several hours of glue-sticking, I used Mod Podge to cover the entire mosaic to seal the deal.

Using some Sharpies, I outlined each piece of the mosaic to create a fresh yet, cartoon-ish effect. 












To complete the project, I bought a frame to give the letter a sharp and finished look. This was a very cheap DIY project! I reused old magazines. I used glue sticks, sharpies, and card stock that I already had. I bought the Mod Podge from Hobby Lobby for $6 (which I can use on other projects) and the frame from GoodWill for only $1. The total cost of this project was only $7!

Related Posts:


Make Art using Newspaper

Make Block Letters out of a Cereal Box

Note: This was not an original idea. I got this idea from a mosaic Saxaphone that my friend Kristen made several years ago.