Month: September 2019

9/9/19 Weekly Meal Plan!

Abby H.

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The heat has broken! Thank goodness- This week I plan on making brownies, banana bread, and pizza from scratch.

I’ve also got a lot of fresh fruit, so I’ll be making up a huge batch of fruit salad. We’ll be eating it a lot- It’s a great way to get the kids to eat fruit, and it cuts down on food waste.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101 style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge done, so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste. If you are looking for kitchen inventory printable, I like the kitchen inventories here. They are great printables.

You may notice a lot of plant-based meals- We are not vegetarian, but I am trying to get more veggies into our diet. I do a lot of cooking from scratch- I find it easier to get veggies and fruit into recipes that I can have 100% control over.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day:

Breakfast: Coffee with heavy cream for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids (they love the Kodiak Cakes Mix).  I also keep sandwich Ziploc bags of other frozen fruit on hand to make the kids smoothies when they request them (a few times per week). Berries, peaches, and mangos are pretty popular.

Lunches are leftovers, salads, or soups for me and Bitty. The big kid takes his lunch to school, but once in a while, I can convince him to buy his lunch.

For dinner, when we’ve got busy days (like Mondays), I’ll try and put something in the crockpot (I am picking up my new crockpot this week) in the morning, or pull something I’ve already prepped out that can be quickly cooked.

  • Monday: Protein shakes and Dave’s Killer Bagels
  • Tuesday:  Veggie and cheese frittata, fruit salad
  • Wednesday: White Bean Burgers, baked sweet potatoes, green salad
  • Thursday: Waffles, bacon, homemade applesauce
  • Friday:  Date Night
  • Saturday: Homemade Pizza Night (I’ll probably bake cookies too)
  • Sunday: Leftover night

 

Talk Back: What are you planning to cook this week?

Family Favorite Recipe: Mountain Man Breakfast Casserole

Abby H.

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This is a great old Boy Scout/backpacking recipe. We eat it when we go camping, cooked in a dutch oven. You can cook it at home in a baking dish in the oven if you aren’t out cooking in a field.

Screen Shot 2019-09-05 at 4.38.58 PM.pngIngredients

  • 1 bag O’Brien Potatoes, approx 28 ounces- defrosted
  • 1 dozen eggs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 lb. bulk breakfast sausage (like Jimmy Dean) cooked, crumbled and patted to absorb the excess oil
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Sour Cream and Salsa (for a topping)

Directions

  1. Mix the sausage,  1 cup of  the cheese, and potatoes in a bowl
  2. Pour sausage/egg/cheese mixture into a 9×11 baking dish
  3. Scramble eggs and milk and pour over sausage/egg/cheese mixture
  4. Top the dish with the remaining 1 c. cheese.
  5. Bake at 350 for 20-35 minutes until the eggs have set and the dish is brown, bubbly and delicious.
  6. Serve with Sour Cream and Salsa.
  7. Serves 8-10 at home 4-6 when camping (fresh air makes you hungry).

If you have any leftovers, it’s great in a warmed tortilla the next morning as a burrito! I’ve also been informed that this is really good with avocado slices on top.

 

Modifications for special dietary concerns:

  • You can make this vegetarian by using soy sausage crumbles.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
  • This recipe cannot be made vegan.

Celebrate 9/9 Day all week with 99 Cents Only!

Abby H.

September 9th is coming. For most of us, that’s not a big deal, but for 99 Cents Only, it’s HUGE!

Every year they celebrate 9/9 day with a week of great deals! Starting on Monday, September 9th, 99 Cents Only has awesome deals each day for nine days- In addition to their daily deals and bargains.

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  • Monday 9/9* Only 6ft Stuffed Bear $19.99 (limit 1 per household) and 3 lbs. of Chaquita Bananas for .99!
  • Tuesday 9/10* Only Assorted Name Brand Skin & Hair Care 12 – 24 oz (limit 4 per household) for .99 each!
  • Wednesday 9/11* Only 18 Count Large Grade AA Eggs (limit 2 per household) for .99 each!
  • Thursday 9/12* Only 24 Pack Niagara Water (limit 4 cases per household) for $1.99 each!
  • Friday 9/13* Only Tide Simply Clean & Fresh 100 fl oz liq. (limit 1 per household) $2.99! This is a great deal- It’s usually about $5-6/bottle at Wal-mart/Target
  • Saturday 9/14* Only Light Up Razor Scooter (limit 1 per household) $4.99 each, and 3 pairs of flip flops .99!
  • Sunday 9/15* Only Assorted Premium Pet Beds up to 22 x 24 inches (limit 1 per household) $2.99
  • Monday 9/16* Only Pikmi Pops Surprise! (limit 2 per household).99 each
  • Tuesday 9/17* Only Bathrobes, Throw Blankets (limit 4 per household) .99 each

Some of these deals would be great for stocking stuffers or little surprises. I won’t be there every day, but I’ll definately be there a couple times to stock up on Tuesday 9/10/19 and 9/11/19!

 

Talk Back: What deals are you excited for?

Score $5 or $10 from Checkout 51!

Abby H.

unnamed.pngCheckout 51 is a savings program that’s so easy to use, and no Smartphone is needed! It’s an app on your iPhone or Android phone, or you use your computer. Just purchased specific products (and these products change each Thursday, so make sure you check out the app/website before heading out to shop), scan and upload your receipts weekly. Checkout 51 is NOT store specific!

I’ve been using it for years, and I love that I’m able to save money when I shop at Grocery Outlet and 99 Cents Only- Two of my favorite stores that don’t accept coupons.

unnamed.jpgI also like that they frequently have bonuses- right now when you buy any 4 Colgate or Tom’s products, you’ll earn $5 Cash Back. And this is in addition to the individual rebates for Colgate & Tom’s product that are available!

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Right now, Checkout 51 has an awesome referral bonus!

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Invite a friend to join Checkout 51 and earn $10* once they become a saver.

Offers on Checkout 51 change weekly, so I recommend that you download and start saving!

 

*Disclosure* Most of those links are my personal links, so if you sign up I earn a few cents. When you sign up, you can share your links too and earn a little bit of green!

What brands can I buy at Dollar Tree?

Abby H.

Did you know that Dollar Tree accepts coupons? YUP! Here is their coupon policy.  While I was looking for zip ties today (for tie dying) at our local Dollar Tree, I was noticing all the great brands they have been stocking lately.

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Now, Not all Dollar Tree stores stock the same items, but here is a list of items and brands that I have found in many of our local stores.  I have only listed brands that I have seen/found coupons for:

  • Coca-Cola Brand Soda (There are usually a bunch of varieties)
  • Coffee-Mate Powdered Coffee Creamer Sticks
  • Nescafe Taster’s Choice Stick Pack
  • Nestle Purelife water
  • Pepsi Brand Soda
  • Sunny D
  • WestSoy Soymilk
  • Palmolive Dish Liquid
  • Farmer John Sausage Links (8 Oz.)
  • Luigi’s Real Italian Ice (4-Cups)
  • Ore-Ida Single Serve Baked Potatoes, or Steam n’ Mash Bags
  • SuperPretzel Bites
  • SuperPretzel Poppers
  • Bar-S Franks
  • Hormel Genoa Salami
  • Hormel Pepperoni
  • Betty Crocker Fruit Roll-Ups
  • Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper
  • Betty Crocker Potatoes (Box)
  • Campbell’s Canned Soup
  • Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta
  • Fiber One chewy granola bars
  • Hunt’s Canned Tomatoes
  • Libby’s Canned Vegetables
  • Nature Valley Granola Bars
  • Nature Valley Granola Thins
  • Post Shredded Wheat Cereal
  • Progresso Recipe Starters
  • Stove Top Stuffing
  • Uncle Bens Rice
  • Comet Powder Cleaner
  • Gain Dryer Sheets
  • Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • A&D Cream
  • Brut Deodorant
  • Carefree Liners
  • Colgate Adult Toothbrush
  • Colgate Toothpaste
  • Crest Toothpaste
  • Garnier Fructis Color Shield
  • Irish Spring Bar Soap
  • Lady Speed Stick Deodorant
  • Men Speed Stick Deodorant
  • Softsoap Bar Soap
  • VO5 Shampoo & Conditioners

Remember to check the size restrictions and coupon terms on the coupons you will be using!

Summer Veggie & Goat Cheese Tart

Abby H.

PICT0097.JPGI was talking about this really amazing dish with my mom the other day, and I realized that I had not posted the recipe!

I can’t find the original recipe for this, but I was driving around the week before Independence Day, and I was listening to NPR when this recipe was discussed.

I made this tart for our 4th of July celebration, and it was gone almost instantly! I didn’t even get a photo of it after it came out of the oven.

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This recipe is great with veggies fresh from the garden!

 

Oh man was it good! It’s easy to make, and you can substitute any veggies that you have in your kitchen (or garden).

Easy Summer Veggie & Goat Cheese Tart

Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust (make it from scratch or use a mix like this one)
  • 1 4-oz. package of goat cheese, your choice of variety (I used garlic and herb) at room temperature
  • 2 medium-size RIPE tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 small zucchini, cut into thin coins
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray, and pre-heat over to 400 degrees.
  2. Roll out pie crust, and smooth out into a circle.
  3. Spread goat cheese in an even layer in the middle of the pie crust. Leave about 2 inches around the edges.
  4. Layer veggies over goat cheese.
  5. Fold up sides of pie crust to cover veggies- leave about a 2-inch opening in the top (see photo below).
  6. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 400 degrees or until pie crust is toasty brown.
  7. Cut into 6-8 wedges and serve. It’s yummy hot or at room temperature, but it won’t be around long enough to get cold!

9/6/19- Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

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Woo Hoo! Friday means Freebies and deals!

In the Mail:

In Stores/Events:

 

Magazines:

Looking for a Great Baby Shower Gifts?

Abby H.

file0001971678256.jpgBaby Shower Season is upon us! I’ll be going to three in the next few months. As a mommy, there are tons of stuff in the baby stores that are completely unnecessary (like this thing– someone bought it for us as a joke… I think).  However, I am going to share with you a couple items that are a staple in our house- I couldn’t leave home without them. With Coupon Codes, most of these deals are free, just pay for shipping!

3 FREE Custom Pacifiers from Mothers Lounge, use code SHOPHER at checkout.

Order 5 pairs of new Babyleggings for only $2.00 plus shipping, use code SHOPHER1 at checkout.

These are great for cool fall days, or when your kiddo starts crawling.

Next is the Carseat Canopy.  Some people just drape a blankie over the top, but this canopy fastens onto the handle of the infant car seat. It won’t fall off. You can score a canopy for free from Carseat Canopy or get $50 off The Whole Caboodle 5 piece set, plus shipping. Use code SHOPHER1 at checkout.


I’m a proponent of breastfeeding. Even in public. However, I always covered my boobs up, because nudity makes some people uncomfortable. Right now, Udder Covers wants to give you a promo code for a free patterned breastfeeding cover (a $35 value). Use coupon code SHOPHER1 at checkout.

And I saved the best for last! I’m a baby wearer.  I wore both of my kiddos in all kinds of contraptions, including a sling. Thanks to our buddies over at Seven, you can be a baby wearer too!
Seven Slings wants to give you a promo code for a free baby carrier (a $48 value). Use coupon code SHOPHER1 at checkout.

Fetch Rewards: Earn 3000 Points When You Refer a Friend!

Abby H.

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Ya’ll know that I’m super excited about Fetch Rewards. It’s a cash back app. You can learn more about it here.

Now for a limited time (there is no expiration date for the offer currently, but it may end at any time), you’ll score 3000 points (that’s $3 in rewards) for every referral. Yup, and there is no limit!

Use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score 3000 points after you scan in your first receipt with Fetch Rewards. That’s a $3 Amazon Gift Card (or whatever $3 Gift Card you choose). You can find Fetch Rewards in your app store.

One of the things I like most about Fetch Rewards is that even if you don’t buy one of the brands that Fetch Partners with (complete list can be seen here), you still earn points. And you can earn points regardless of where you shop!

So Get Started! Download the app, upload a receipt and share the app with your friends!

 

Disclosure- I’ll receive 3000 points too. Any commissions I receive help to cover the costs associated with blogging.

Top Five Ways to Save Money as a New Parent

Abby H.

765500e0739c9b82c56108534584887c.jpgAhhh, kids. So cute and cuddly (and frustrating sometimes, let’s be honest), but oh my goodness, do they cost a fortune!

A few friends have recently given birth, and I shared with them my tips for saving money the first few years, so I thought I’d share them with you too!

  1. Resale shops, consignment shops, clothing swaps, and hand-me-downs are life (and budget) savers. Kids grow so fast, there is no reason that you need to break the bank buying new clothes. Most of these also have gear and toys too!
  2. Speaking of kids growing quickly, Car seats are a thing that has to be replaced too. Between September 16-30t, 2019, you can trade in an old car seat at Walmart and receive a Free $30 Walmart Gift Card to use on the purchase of a new car seat or other baby gear item. Target sometimes holds similar events.
  3. Mom support groups- Hear me out. Mommy groups get a bad wrap on social media, but it’s nice to know that there are people out there that know what you are going through. You can find mom groups via Facebook and Meetup.
  4. Free Stuff. There are so many companies that cater to parents and kids, everyone is giving away something, you just need to know where to look. Formula companies give away samples and send coupons (I won’t get into the whole debate of breastfed vs. formula fed. If you’ve read my blog long enough, you know about my struggles with IGT– FED IS BEST). Kabrita has a great offer. And as your kids get older, companies like Enfamil/Enfagrow have transitional formulas- and they offer samples and coupons too. I post freebie offers that include stuff for kids and babies each week!
  5. Stores like Walmart and Target usually run free gift bag deals when you start a registry. Right now you can order a Free Walmart Welcome Baby Registry Box when you start a registry.  Huggies has a “Made By You” free sample kit right now as well.

If you aren’t a new parent but know of one, here are a few ways you can help them out (and a recipe, because really, I love cooking!).