Getting Ready for Back to School: Health Edition

The Back to school shopping crazies will start in a few weeks with sales and deals, but one thing we’ve done this summer to help with Back to school is getting everyone in tip-top health!

I made sure the kids are seeing all the doctors/specialists over the summer to minimize appointments during the school year.

Here in California vision and dental insurance is included under health insurance plans for kids 18 and under. To learn more, check the back of your kid’s health insurance card for phone numbers.

The kids saw the dentist and had eye exams. New glasses were ordered through the optometrist that are part of the vision insurance (one pair every 2 years from a list of specific frames), and we get the paper prescription for our family binder. 

I order extra pairs of glasses through online discount retailers such as EYEBUYDIRECT. A lot of online discount retailers have inexpensive kid’s glasses that can be less than $20 a pair, which is great to have on hand because we all know, kids tend to break stuff.

EYEBUYDIRECT prices start at $6 for select frames!

I also had the kids see any specialists that they needed to, in our case they needed to go to the podiatrist.

And of course, we took care of behavioral/mental health appointments and medication checks over the summer as well. And all future mental/behavioral health appointments are after school or on weekends.

The next health component that I am working on is getting our family first aid kit up to snuff, and that will be a separate post over the weekend.

Family Recipe: $100 Brownies

This is an easy, decadent recipe that impresses guests.

Inspired by a friend’s brownie recipe that once fetched $100 at an auction, this dessert will disappear before your eyes. These brownies are so rich, so don’t forget the milk or cuppa Joe.

 

$100 Brownies

Ingredients 

  • 1 brownie mix 
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Melted butter
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter (your favorite variety)
  • 1/2 bag (about 6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips 

Directions:

  1. Mix up the brownie recipe per directions in the box. Substitute milk for water, and melted butter for oil in the directions. Use eggs as directed on the box.
  2. Bake brownies as directed.
  3. As soon as they are down, remove them from the oven and immediately top with peanut butter and chocolate chips.
  4. Allow PB and chips to melt atop the hot brownies, about 5-10 minutes.
  5. Using a silicone spatula, carefully mix and spread PB and melted chips to form and even layer a top the brownies.
  6. Once brownies have cooled to room temp, store them in the fridge for at least 1 hour prior to serving.

Makes 18 small brownies- these are very rich, and a little goes a long way.

Substitutions:

  • If you are Gluten Free, substitute your favorite GF brownie mix.

7/22/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals

Today was my last day of work at school for a month. So there should be an uptick in blog posts and social media stuff.

The big kid was sick earlier this week with an ear infection. He’s starting to heal, but it’s slow going.

If you are looking for some frugal adventures for this summer, check out this post.

Mask Mandates are changing constantly in California and can vary by city and county, so please do your part if you are going to any in-person freebies.

2022 Birthday Freebies are here!

Freebies

Free Sample of Gerber Soothe n Chew Teething Sticks
Free Starbucks Drink or Treat for Select Spotify Accounts
Possible Free $150 Candy Research Study
Free Kids Book Every Month
Free Niacinamide Face Serum
Free Combo Meal at White Castle
Free Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Sample
Free Hot Dog at The Original Hot Dog Factory
Free Donut Wednesdays at Dunkin
Free Glycolic Overnight Peel Treatment
Free Montchevre Goat Cheese After Rebate
Free Pretzel at Auntie Anne’s – Every Wednesday in July & Aug
Free Garden of Flavor Cold-Pressed Energy Elixir
Free Book with Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program
Free Sample of Saturix Clean Room Wipes
Free Duracell Batteries at Office Depot & Office Max
Free Skincare Bath & Body Bundle
Free Sample of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Gel Cream
Free Bath & Body Gift Sets
Free NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit
Banfield Pet Hospital – Free Office Visit & Consultation
Free Original Chick Meal at Chicken Salad Chick
Free Shoes from Dream Pair Shoes
Free $10 ThredUP Credit = Free Womens & Children Items
Free Beyond Meat Teriyaki Jerky at Walmart
Free Goody Bag at buybuy BABY Stores
Free Andalou Naturals Skincare Products
Free 10 oz. Ithaca Hummus After Rebate
Free Love Corn
Free Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp
Free Tannenberg PC Game
Free My Best Friend’s Wedding for Xfinity Rewards Members
2,000 Free AllState Rewards Points
Free Shop Titans PC Game

 

Deals:

Michael Kors Travel Crossbody Bag ONLY $74.25 (Reg $398)
Levi’s Women’s Bermuda Jean Shorts ONLY $24.99 (Reg $50)
Insulated Backpack Cooler ONLY $19.04 (Reg. $39.99)
Flying Saucer Outdoor Swing at Amazon ONLY $29.99 (Reg. $59.99)
Women’s Turtleneck Sweater ONLY $7 (Reg. $28)
Youth Camping Chair ONLY $8.98 (Reg. $17.97)
Silk Queen Size Pillowcases 2-PC ONLY $8.49 (Reg. $16.99)
2022-2023 Planners as low as ONLY $2.99 (Reg. $5.99)
Adidas Adilette Footbed Clogs ONLY $18.54 (Reg $45)
Arctic Air Cooler ONLY $23.99 (Reg $40)
Char-Broil Gas Grill with Side Burner ONLY $132.99 (Reg $230)
Airtight Food Storage Containers 7-pc ONLY $21.99 (Reg. $51.59)
Polarized Sunglasses 3-pack ONLY $7.49 (Reg. $15)