I’ve always said that my organization skills leave me once I leave my office. At home, I never put anything back in the same place twice – it drives Tony nuts and me too – in fact I think Tony gets a kick out of something when I can’t find something because he’s like “welcome to my world!”
One thing that I am awful about is my gym bag. I almost always leave it in the car, then realize as I am getting in the car to go to work that I need to switch out my clothes really quick, only to scramble not being able to find my workout bras (did I put them in drawer #1, #2, #3, #4 or # 5? Or did I decide to hang them all up this time?
So I had an idea a while back that I never followed through with. Pre-packaging my workout clothes for the week so that there are no excuses. I went to Walmart and bought $1 pillow cases – five of them for each day of the work week.
I labeled each one:
Then went in the basement and made five stacks of clothes for the week: socks, underwear, exercise bra, pants and shirt.
I’ll give you a clue that blue and yellow are my favorite colors. 
Then packed up each of the sets of clothes in their appropriate bags, and bam, ready to go.
This way I can just keep the dirty clothes in the pillow cases, throw them in the wash and switch out the clean bag for the next week. We’ll see how long it lasts, but it sure beats scrambling at the last minute.
I had made more artisan bread over the weekend. I may or may not have told you that it makes really good French toast! My post yesterday said that my mantra this year is moderation. So I decided to figure out how to make a healthier version of French toast.
Enter unsweetened almond milk. I am really loving this stuff, and if you pay attention to your stores sales cycles, I can usually get this container for $1.99 – and it lasts a lot longer than regular milk. And almond milk doesn’t give me the shits like regular milk does. Okay, I was just paying attention to see if you were reading – ha! (sorry Mom and my PIL!).
Almond Milk French Toast
- 2 servings, 288 caloires, 4.9 fat, 36 carbs, 2.3 fiber and 8 protein
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup of almond milk
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- pinch of salt
- pinch of cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
- 4 ounces of french or sourdough bread
Mix the egg, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together, beating the egg really well. Soak each side of the bread for a 30 second count, going back to use up any leftover liquid.
Cook with Pam over medium heat about 4-5 minutes a side, until golden brown. I served mine with cantaloupe, honey dew melon, blackberries and 1/4 cup of sugar free pancake syrup. This plate comes in under 350 calories!
I was busy in my kitchen. For gifts for my bosses this year, I enrolled them in the “Bizzy Kitchen Granola Club of the Month.” I made three batches of what I am calling Mocha Almond granola. I plan on posting that recipe later in the week, but I think it turned out good. It’s more of a granola that you’d put on yogurt because I didn’t get the granola chunks I was looking for, but there’s only 1/3 cup of brown sugar to 3 cups of oats, so that may be the reason.
I know we were going to our neighbors to watch NIU play in the orange bowl. Our neighbors both went there, their daughter goes there now. They were serving appetizers and dinner, and since I didn’t know what that was going to be, I ended up having a cup of chicken and wild rice soup I made with our leftover Cornish hens.
I may, or may not like a lot of carrots in my soup!
We went next door – they had cheese and crackers and breaded buffalo chicken bites. For dinner, they had brats, potato salad and pasta salad. Seriously in years past I would be freaking out because here it was “Day 1” and I am already getting off track. But you know what? It was fine! I ate a couple cheese and crackers, 2 chicken bites, a brat, and a 1/3 cup scoop of potato salad and pasta salad and that was that.
I didn’t fall off the wagon, I don’t have to now eat like shit for a week because of it. It was one meal. I have my meals planned for today, my workout bag packed, it’s all good.
I have to give my friend Jen a shout out for me finally getting this way of living. Back in May she was so sick of counting calories, measuring things, beating herself up over eating a piece of pizza, being a slave to the scale, and the number on the scale determining how she felt for the day, weeks or months!
Guess what? After she “gave up” she’s now lost 45 pounds since May! For lack of a better word, she eats like a “normal” person. Nothing is off limits. She’s made working out fit into her busy lifestyle and doesn’t live with food guilt anymore. So proud of you Jen! Keep up the great work!
Alright, I am off to shower and get to work – next week is going to feel weird working 5 days in a row! And even though it feels like Monday – happy Wednesday – make it a great day!
Great idea! Your handwriting is impeccable! LOL
Thanks Jody – its about the only artistic skills I got from my Dad!
I love the pillow case idea! I am terrible at taking everything I need to the gym and tend to forget essential items…
There are so many applications for that idea. AND IT WAS CHEAP!
Yep – cheap is my middle name! Ha, seriously, it worked like a charm, it was nice to just pull out my pillow case in the gym and have everything I need right there.
Haha, I always end up putting tons of carrots in my soup as well, always. Hope your workout plan goes well, I just wear the same clothes until I can’t stand the smell anymore, completely hygenic, good thing I work out at home
If I worked out at home Marie, I’d probably do the same thing!
You are so clever. Love the pillow case idea. I also love the Bizzy Kitchen Granola Club of the Month. I would join. Almond milk is my favorite, but I never find it for $1.99 even with a coupon. That’s a great price. Happy New Year Biz!! Have a great day.
Thats an awesome way to keep yourself going to the gym! I love!! Almond milk is my fav. I use it in my coffee and shakes every day. You’re supposed to use it within 7 days of opening….but I don’t always follow that rule (and I live on!). Great soup
I don’t make French toast anymore but I never knew that people used sugar in it. I don’t think you would miss the sugar since you’re already putting syrup on it. Just a thought.
I love the pillowcase idea even though I don’t go to the gym now. I use the Blue Diamond almond milk and had no idea that they suggested you use it in a week. I could never use a half gallon of milk in seven days so I usually have it around for at least two weeks. I suppose it would be better if I went to the smaller package as I’m the only one who uses it.
You are probably right Caron, next time I made it I am going to ditch the sugar.
What a clever idea!
Kudos for seeing a problem and finding a solution…and way to think outside of the proverbial gym bag with those pillowcases!
What is it with sport bras? I can NEVER find mine either. You are a genius with those pillow cases and I am loving your granola of the month club idea. (I was actually thinking of jam of the month for next year.)
Hope you have a great 2013!
Um, if it includes your serrano jelly, I’d be in – I have it every weekend and just love it!
That’s an interesting thing to do with the gym bag. I am lucky that I work from home, so I just wear my workout clothes right to the gym and back!
The pillow cases are a great idea! Funny my husband will also say “welcome to my world” as I’m muttering under my breath looking for something.
Glad I am not the only one!
the pillow cases look like a great idea! I should have my mom do that!
And your organization sounds like mine…but I’m more of an organized mess most of the time .lol
Ha! I was reading, and totally laughed out loud!
And I thought I was organized . . . but your pillowcase idea has me beat. Great idea!!
Well Michelle, let’s see how long I can keep it up!
Love your pillow cased workout clothes-super smart. I do love alternative milks like almond milk (and coconut milk-the kind in the carton, not the can–I do like it in the can but it’s too high in fat for subbing-lol). Sounds like you’re off to a great start, already practicing moderation at a party and not beating yourself up for having a little bit. I’ve never been able to think that way and it drives my sister crazy b/c she lives like Jen and has never had a weight problem. She gets mad every time I diet b/c she tells me all I need to do is eat moderately. I tell her it’s either all or nothing with me. Hope to overcome that one day!
I wish I knew why it was like that – the all or nothing mentality – gah!
Cool idea with the pillow cases..and inexpensive too! I
Glad you are going back to blogging John! Looking forward to your posts.
I’ve been drinking almond milk for quite a while now. And yes, I love the fact that it keeps for weeks. (Though I buy the sweetened, vanilla kind, because I use it for cereal and not for cooking or other traditional milk uses, you donkey.)
For a second I thought you were going to say “I love the fact that it doesn’t give me the shits!” Love, “your donkey” sister!
Love it!
I use almond milk for the same reason as you
That NIU game was a bummer, we were really pulling for them.
Yeah, we actually left at half time, I am sure they were heartbroken!
Love the pilowcase idea! Hopefully it’ll inspire you to continue working out regularly
Although man, having forgotten your workout clothes is a solid excuse to skip working out on days you’re feeling lazy 
That is a rockin’ idea Biz, I love it!! I should share it with my son, who knows nothing about organization…lol!! That soups looks great too
your gym bag idea is BRILLIANT!!!
i love organizing…and planning…and scheduling..and re-organizing!…
we watched football yesterday, too…but i forget which “bowl game” – i know wisconsin was playing (i was doing more talking than watching, obviously!).
Love the pre-packed weekly gym bag idea! Awesome! But $1.99 for almond milk! No way! I always find it for 3-5 dollars!! Jealous!
You are not the first person to tell me that it’s an awesome deal – maybe I can score some coupons from the company to give away – I’ll let you know!
I love how you pack up your clothes. I don’t even have three tshirts that fit. It’s a bummer. It’s a great idea though! I do that with my lunches sometimes.
[...] have to tell you guys that I love the pillowcase method of organizing my gym clothes. My gym bag doesn’t have any compartments, it’s just one giant [...]
[...] got several emails asking if my pillowcase method for organizing my workout clothes worked. The answer is yes and no. My idea was to pack [...]