Day: March 15, 2025

Searching for Deals for Teens’ First Phone Plan…

Abby H.

I’ve been reading and researching the best deals for my newly 14-year-old. He needs a phone. I don’t have a landline, and he needs to be able to reach me, his dad, and other family members.

He doesn’t need a lot when it comes to a phone. More than a flip phone but less than the most up-to-date iPhone. More than anything, I’m concerned about the cell phone plan.

I recently discovered  Lyca Mobile. They offer a reliable 5G/4G high-speed network with over 99% population coverage (I checked the map; it covers anywhere he’ll be), and Lyca offers FREE Unlimited Calls & Texts to 100 Countries (for when his dad is traveling and he wants to text with him).

With Lyca Mobile, you bring your own phone, which I love. We can use one of our older phones or get one from Gazelle or another seller of pre-owned phones without the hassle of a long-term contract.

For only $12.25/month, he will have unlimited everything!

Thanks a great deal!

Recipe: Marry Me Cannellini Beans

Abby H.

Maybe you’ve seen videos or recipes online for marry me chicken. It’s a creamy Tuscan style dish that can be served with noodles or by itself.

Here is my version, but instead of using chicken, I substituted Cannellini beans. Why? Because I had cannellini beans, and I didn’t have any chicken.

If you want to use chicken, substitute about a pound of either boneless skinless trimmed thighs or boneless skinless trimmed chicken breasts for the beans.

Ingredients 

  •  2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 2 tablespoons your favorite cooking oil (I used the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes)
  • One small, yellow onion, diced
  • 2 15.5 ounce cans of Cannellini beans, drained, and rinsed
  • Three cloves of crushed garlic/3 tablespoons of Jarlic
  • 2/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes 
  • 2 cups of chicken broth 
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • One cup evaporated milk, or half-and-half (choice) 
  • 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese (use the freshly grated variety, not the powdered variety)

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, melt butter and mix oil in with butter.
  2. Sauté onions over medium heat until translucent, about five minutes.
  3. Add in garlic and stir frequently until garlic is fragrant.
  4. Add in rinsed and drained beans, sun-dried, tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning. Cook on medium, stirring frequently until mixture comes to a boil.
  5. Using the back of a spoon or a potato masher gently mash up about half of the beans. This will add thickness to the sauce or without adding any additional ingredients. 
  6. Once a thickened mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, add in milk/half-and-half, spinach,  and about a half a cup of the grated cheese. 
  7. Stir and turn stove down to low. Simmer on low for 5 to 10 minutes until mixture has thickened. 
  8. Serve with noodles of your choice, or serve mixture in a bowl with toasted/crusty Italian bread. Top each bowl with some of the remaining cheese.
  9. I prefer to serve this in a bowl and eat it with a toasted/crusty bread. 

Substitutions:

  • To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute chicken broth for vegetable broth/stock. 
  • To make this recipe vegan, substitute as above, and additionally substitute milk/half-and-half with your favorite dairy free variety, as well as your favorite dairy free variety of “Parmesan” type cheese. 

3/15/25 PRC Research Study Round Up!

Abby H.

PRC aka iOpinion is a nationwide research study company. They are always running studies and looking for more respondents. They email me once a week about the online studies they are looking to fill.

 

Topic: Tools & Supplies (Professionals)-March 2025
WHO: Decision-Makers/Owners in Construction, Automotive, HVAC, Paint, Plumbing, Roofing, Carpentry, Landscaping, etc.
*** Proof of occupation will be required***
Format: Online Individual Interview
Date of the study: March 18 & 19, 2025
Duration: The interview will last 1 hour + pre-task
Incentive: $300
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

 

Topic: Health & Wellness Products
Who: Adults, 35 and older
When: March 24 & 25, 2025
Where: Online focus group
Length: 90 min
Incentive: $150
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

 

Topic: Household Services Providers
Who: Adults, 18 +
When: March 24-25, 2025
Where: Online individual interview
Length: 1 hour + pre-task
Incentive: $150
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

 

Topic: Facial Skin Care
Who: Female 18-60
When: March 27 – April 8, 2024 (Part 1); April 16 & 17, 2025 (Part 2)
Length/Pay: 9 days Product Testing/ $250 (Part 1) & 90 min online focus group/ $150 (Part 2 if chosen)
Where: At home product trial (Part 1)+ Online webcam (Part 2: if chosen)
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Topic: Homeowners
Who: Homeowners age 24-74 (*Proof of address will be required)
When: Various dates and times in March
Length/ Pay: 45 min Interview/ $175
Where: Webcam via Zoom
*You MUST have a working webcam on your desktop or laptop to participate in this study. You CANNOT participate using a tablet, I-pad or the camera feature on your smartphone.

If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Topic: Insurance Employees
Who: Adults 18+ years of age whom are decision makers for their agency / brokerage
Date: March – June
Duration/type: 45-minute webcam interview
Incentive: $250 digital incentive
Location: From the comfort of your home
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.