Archive for March, 2012

As you may know we quit smoking on January 29,2012 because it was the right thing to do. We have been tossing the idea in the air for over a year and we had to jump in head first. Our mates were very excited for us when we finally told them because they truly wanted to see us live a healthier lifestyle.  I am naturally fit as my job keeps me that way but I do all the right things including lifting weights, sports and eating healthy. Smoking was always our downfall and a way to cope with stress and everyday life.

Here are some changes we noted since we have quit:

  • When I’m working out at the gym I don’t get winded as fast. I feel like my lungs are wide open and fresh and that I can carry out anything I set my mind to.  If you want to lead a healthy lifestyle just being active 3 days a week is important. You don’t have to be a big gym buff like I am but simply walking the dog or to the park gets you out of the house and moving is what is important.  This is what the Mrs likes to do with her mates and I think it is a great way to motivate your friends.
  • Eating Healthy has always been smart for us but challenging when we quit smoking so we had cravings  mainly sweets (My famous Mr.CBB Fudgy Brownies). We are hoping to keep our weight down and continue to fight the cravings although a treat here and there never hurts anyone! Work hard and reward yourself in money and in health!
  • Incorporating The Grocery Game Challenge at my blog has encouraged me to buy  fresh  vegetables, meats, dairy and grain products as opposed to convenience foods as we post what we buy. We are working hard at making these lifestyle changes.
  • My mates come around to shoot some hoops more often now that I am motivated more than ever to get outdoors
  • I don’t smell like smoke any longer and my sense of smell has gotten better.  This was a big deal for me especially as I love cologne and fresh smells.  I was always bothered that I potentially would smell like smoke.  I can smell smoke from a mile away if someone is a smoker but I don’t discriminate as I was once in their shoes. It’s not a pleasant after-smell and you won’t realize it until you quit.
  • Our overall appearance seems brighter and rosier, and we love to have a good laugh and take the piss out of each other even more now. We focus  on our relationship with the time we have gained back from not smoking. We wanted to do this so we could spend more time together in this world, after all Love is, what we make of  it!

So even though the Driven to Quit Challenge is over as of tonight March 31,2012 we are happy to say we have remained smoke free since our quit date in January 2012. We have saved over $300 in cigarettes and gained back weeks in our lives.

The cost of  smoking on your health and budget is phenomenal and if  I could beg you all to quit I would. It’s up to you to make that lifestyle change! We will continue this challenge as a lifestyle change and challenge ourselves to stay smoke-free for the rest of our lives.

Even if we don’t win a prize in this Challenge we know that there is no prize big enough to conquer the LOVE we have for each other and what the rest of our lives together will mean to us!

We want to thank all of our family,mates and fans for their continued support and of course The Smoker’s Hotline and The Driven To Quit Challenge. Without all of you this would never have happened. You need a great support system when you quit smoking and that is what we did get from all of you, so thanks! We love you all!

Cheers,

Mr. & Mrs. CBB~

You can Follow me on Facebook  HERE or Twitter HERE! Come join the conversation

Photos Courtesy of :123RF


About these ads

I was going to BBQ some burgers last night but time out with the boys at the gym brought me back a bit late to turn out my burger recipe. What I do is change it up by turning my lean beef into Mr. CBB’s famous Sloppy Joe’s. The wife and our mates just love these and I also make them when I’m in a pinch just like tonight.

The recipe makes 8 Sloppy Joe’s and trust me they will be gone especially if you have hungry mates like I did last night! The cost to make this recipe is  around $0.95 each Sloppy Joe and I was on the top end with prices. This could even be much more frugal than it seems!

So here we go……

Total Time start to finish under 30 minutes!

Tools

  • Large frying pan
  • Spatula

Ingredients

8 fresh Hamburger Buns or any Round Bun

  • 1 can of Tomato paste 6 ounces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 table spoons white distilled vinegar
  • 1 table spoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon of dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dry oregano
  • 1 teaspoon of dry basil
  • 1/2 cup of  Tomato Ketchup
  • 3/4 cup of water
  • 2 yellow onions chopped
  • 1 large green pepper chopped ( or any colour you like)
  • 4 cloves of garlic chopped fine
  • 4 tablespoons of brown sugar packed
  • 1lb of Lean Beef ( or whichever you prefer can be chicken or turkey etc)
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil

How to put it all together!

In the frying pan add a bit of olive oil if you are using a very lean beef just to help it brown for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Then add in the onions, garlic and green peppers you chopped earlier and saute for 5 mins or until the meat is no longer pink.

Add in the water and can of tomato paste and stir until dissolved in the frying pan.

Then add in the vinegar,Worcestershire Sauce and ketchup then stir. Once that is all mixed in add in all the spices including the brown sugar and let it simmer on low for about 10 minutes so the flavours have some time to concentrate and the liquid thickens up.

Once they are done scoop some inside of a fresh bun and enjoy! 

You can pair this with a nice side salad and a BEER!

Photograph of Picaroons Best Bitter, a Canadia...

Cheers Enjoy Folks,

Mr.CBB

Related Posts:

Mr. CBB’s Fudgy Brownies $5 a Pan

Mr. CBB’s Easter Dinner for 8 in the Crockpot $1.25 a plate

Mr. CBB’s Pasta Frittata Pie with Spciy Italian Sausage $9.00

There’s loads more Frugal Recipes on my blog so go check them out! If you try them let me know what you think!

You can also find me on Facebook HERE or on Twitter HERE… chat to you then! Mr.CBB

All pictures copyright- CanadianBudgetBinder