Author: Abby H.

9/23/19 Weekly Meal Plan!

Abby H.

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I’m trying to use up a lot of what we have on-hand before I do any shopping for the week. We are running low on milk and veggies, so I’ll hit up Grocery Outlet (I have a $5/$20+ coupon), and Sprouts today after the gym.

I’ve got two melons (watermelon and cantaloupe), so we’ll be having melon a lot this week.

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: Chicken and rice soup (from scratch), grilled cheese sandwiches, melon slices
  • Tuesday: homemade breakfast sandwiches ( Bagels with sunny side up eggs, cheese, and sausage patties), Melon slices
  • Wednesday: Vegetarian Chili, melon slices
  • Thursday: Pizza Night
  • Friday: Homemade Pasta sauce, zucchini “noodles” (We didn’t end up having it last week
  • Saturday: Leftover night
  • Sunday:  Pasta Free Lasagna, and you guessed it- Melon (if there is any left)

 

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

9/22/19 New Savingstar Coupons!

Abby H.

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SavingStar has some awesome new rebates available.

If you are new to SavingStar, it’s different from traditional couponing!

What makes SavingStar different is that you don’t receive money off at the register.  The savings in held in your SavingStar account, and once you reach at least $20.00 in savings you can transfer it to your Paypal Account or donate your savings to charity!

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SavingStar is the first national, fully digital, grocery eCoupon service, available for free at www.savingstar.com and on iPhone and Android mobile apps. There’s nothing to clip, nothing to print. Chose offers, shop, and save! SavingStar is currently available at over 70,000 locations!

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And it gets better: SavingStar members who redeem 2 offers per month (not counting any Healthy Offers) will unlock a full month of Healthy Offers for the next month! That’s money savings on fruits, veggies, and more!

Here are the latest offers:

SAVE $0.75 on ANY Sprayway® product (15.oz. or larger).Expires 11/30/2019.Save $0.75.

SAVE $2.00 on ANY BODY FORTRESS® protein powder.Expires 11/15/2019.Save $2.00.

SAVE $0.50 on any ONE (1) Country Crock® Plant Butter (16 oz. stick or 10.5 oz. tub) product..Expires 10/6/2019.Save $0.50.

Save $1.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) King Oscar Skinless Boneless Olive Oil Sardines. Valid on 4.38 oz..Expires 10/23/2019.Save $1.00.(Only at Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s/Fry’s Marketplace, Gerbes, JayC, King Soopers,

Save $0.50 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Land O Lakes® Pumpkin Pie Spice Butter Spread. Valid on 6.5 oz..Expires 11/27/2019.Save $0.50.(Only at Albertsons, Albertsons, City Market, Harris Teeter Food Markets, Jewel-Osco, King Soopers, Kroger, Metro Market

Save $1.25 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Talenti Gelato or Sorbetto. Any Variety..Expires 10/30/2019.Save $1.25.

Save $0.50 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) ORE-IDA Frozen Potatoes. Valid on 5 lb bags or larger..Expires 10/30/2019.Save $0.50.

Save $1.00 when you purchase ANY TWO (2) belVita Breakfast Biscuits. Valid on 8.8oz or larger, any variety. Items must appear on the same receipt..Expires 10/30/2019.Save $1.00.

Save $1.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) EatingWell® Frozen Meal. Any Variety. Valid At Walmart and Target..Expires 10/16/2019.Save $1.00.(Only at Target, Walmart)

Shutterfly: Today only Choose up to Four Freebies!

Abby H.

Woo Hoo! Another weekend with Shutterfly Freebies! Through tonight, you can select up to four freebies:

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For more info, and the fine print, click here.  I love these freebies, they make great holiday gifts. Grandparents love photo gifts!

Houseparty by Ripple Street: Host a Kikkoman® Holiday Party

Abby H.

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Houseparty by Ripple Street has a great new party!

Host a Kikkoman® Holiday Party
This holiday season, invite your friends over and show them how Kikkoman can help you create easy, amazing side dishes and lets you brine a juicy bird to bring great flavor to your holiday meals for great entertaining all season long.

This event is only open to residents of the USA. Party Date: 11/9/19

If you’re selected and confirmed as a host, your exclusive Party Pack will contain:

  • Gift Card
  • Kikkoman T-shirts
  • Kikkoman recipe booklets
  • And more

To apply for the party, click here.

Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show Comes to San Diego this Fall!!

Abby H.

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Showcasing a colossal collection of handmade creations, the Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show, comes to three key southland locations this fall with more than 24,000 original works from hundreds of exhibitors nationwide. As an all you can eat buffet for the senses, the artful celebration boasts live entertainment, strolling performers, a Kidzone, demonstrations, contests, and more.

This marks the 47th season for the Harvest Festival, a treasured event recognized as the largest and most prestigious indoor showcase on the west coast. Multi-talented artists & crafters will showcase their originals of stunning jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, photography, oils, hand-turned wood, ceramics, eclectic art pieces, seasonal decor, ornaments, blown glass, and much more. Patrons know with confidence that each of the works is made by hand and selected only after meeting criteria for excellence. Adding to the memories, many of the artists can personalize items for that special touch.

I am so excited to take the family and check out the fun this year! I’ll be posting pics and vids from the event on Instagram and Facebook!

Beyond the hundreds of artists and entertainment, each showcase collaborates with local non-profits to fundraise in support of community programs. General admission tickets are $9, while seniors (62+) and military are $7, youths ages 13-17 are $4, and kids 12 and under are free. Tickets are good for the entire weekend and return visits. Entrance for groups of 10 or more is $5 with advance sign up. Information and advance tickets are available here or call 925/ 392-7300.

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Del Mar Fairgrounds: October 11-13 (Hours: Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 10am-5pm)
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014

SAVE $2 at Del Mar Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show – SAVE $2 with this coupon on 1 adult, 1 senior or 1 military admission at Del Mar Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show from Oct. 11-13, 2019. *This coupon must be presented at entrance, mention US FAMILY GUIDE. It must be downloaded and printed off. It will not be accepted on a mobile device. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

 

 

@usfg

9/20/19: Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

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Woo Hoo! Friday means Freebies and deals- It’s a light week this week, but there are still some pretty cool freebies.

Samples/Goodies:

Free Batman Comic Books on Saturday

Free Sample of Nio Teas

Au Bon Pain – Free Travel Mug, Birthday Lunch & More

Free Sample of Red Star Platinum Instant Sourdough Yeast

Bitmo – Free $5 Chili’s Gift Card

 

Free In-Store/Event:

Free Item at Pressed Juicery

Free Riviana Mahatma Ready to Serve Rice at Walmart

Free Dino Fossil Charm Craft at Lakeshore Learning

Free Safe Interactions with Dogs Seminar at PetSmart

Home Depot Free DIY September Workshops

 

Free Magazine:

Complimentary 1 Year Subscription to Golf Magazine

Fashion Friday – 9/19/19 Celebrate Fashion Friday’s 7th Birthday with a Treat!

Abby H.

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There is no cake, but there are all kinds of goodies to choose from this week! Let’s celebrate Fashion Friday, 9/19/19, 7th Birthday Celebration  with a sweet deal (see what I did there?) Today through Tuesday you can purchase the Olivia sweater in their choice of color (one size fits most up to size XL) and one of our best selling Vienna scarves also in their choice of color AND a pair of earrings (we choose) for ONLY $24.95!

It’s as easy as 1 2 3 4!

Step 1- add the Olivia cardigan to cart in choice of color
Step 2- add the Vienna scarf to cart in your color choice
Step 3- enter the code BDAYBOX during checkout
Step 4- price will go to $24.95 and Pay (Then we send you a SURPRISE pair of earrings FREE $14.95 value)
(EASY PEASY)

And of course, shipping is FREE!!

Cardigans

I’ve already ordered mine! I can’t wait to snuggle up with my new cozy sweater!

Gig Opportunity: Become a Shipt Shopper!

Abby H.

I am a huge proponent of gigs, little side hustles that help you earn extra money.

I just found out that Shipt is looking for shoppers! You shop for and deliver groceries and essentials for others. Oh, and the best part? You can earn up to $22/hour!

Shipt is a membership-based grocery marketplace, enabling delivery of fresh foods and household essentials. Shipt is all over the US, to find out if Shipt is hiring in your area, check out their coverage map here, then sign up here. Once you sign up, answer a few questions, and they’ll email you if you meet their qualifications.

I’m all about earning some extra cash! I’d love to hear about your favorite side gigs and hustles! My list of favorites can be found here.

5 DIY Spa Treatments for Your Hair

Abby H.

Disclosure – This post contains affiliate links.

I love DIY beauty treatments. Most spa-grade products start with natural ingredients or extracts of natural ingredients. Why not skip the pricy treatments and mix up some fun hair treatments in your kitchen!

Sneaking in a spa getaway before the holidays is easier than you think. Madison Reed wants you to know about these 5 swanky spa treatments for your hair. The best part? These deliciously healthy hair solutions can be found in your own kitchen!

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1. Beer is the Silver Bullet for Fine, Limp Hair

Believe it or not, beer is full of protein, which enhances shine, strength, and moisture.

HOW: Just open up a can or bottle and let it sit open for a couple hours to release the carbonation. After you shampoo, gently massage the beer into your hair, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse. You can also put the beer in a spray bottle and spritz onto dry hair. The protein residue from the brew will help strengthen your hair.

2. Honey is The Bee’s Knees for Split Ends

Don’t worry, we’re not leading you into a sticky situation, you can safely put honey on your hair! In fact, it can be a miracle worker for damaged hair. Honey is antibacterial, contains vitamins and minerals, and is a humectant, which means that it attracts moisture to improve dry hair.

HOW: Using half a cup of honey, saturate your hair. Put on a shower cap to capture natural heat and put your feet up for half an hour (you deserve it). Rinse out the honey to reveal glowing soft, silky hair. This treatment will help reduce split ends and fly aways.

3. Baking Soda Gets a Rise Out of Your Hair

Time to apply our science class know-how to hair care! Baking soda is an alkaline base (the other end of the spectrum from acids). This is important for hair because excess oils and styling products get trapped in the cuticle of your hair, making it feel greasy and flat. Use baking soda to lift out those unwanted oils and product build up.

HOW: Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with small amounts of water until it forms a thick paste. Work this paste into your hair and let it sit for ten minutes before rinsing. Your hair will gain volume and feel bouncy and clean!

4. Avocado to Bring Down the Frizz

The oils in avocados are very similar to the natural oils in our skin. Combined with its proteins and nutrients, this is one hair-enriching fruit! Use as a smoothing balm to tame frizz and fly aways. In winter months, it can also reduce that annoying seasonal static.

HOW: Mash half an avocado until smooth. Massage into damp hair and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing. Your hair will be deeply conditioned. Bonus: if you have curls, this treatment will make them soft and defined.

5. Let the Light in with Yogurt

Yogurt does wonders for dull, lifeless hair. It contains lactic acid, which gently cleans off the environmental film that can build up on our hair, and milk fat, which adds incredible shine.

HOW: Massage a half cup of plain yogurt into damp hair. Put on a shower cap to capture natural heat. After 20 minutes, rinse your hair. Your hair will look like it’s glowing!

Treat yourself to one of these kitchen spa treatments once a week on rotation to relax and get healthy, gorgeous hair. Follow up with Madison Reed Radiant Color Kit that is healthier for your hair for a full beauty routine that leaves you feeling great, inside and out!

Go Organic with Fetch Rewards

Abby H.

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Shop smart, eat smart. 

Did you know Fetch Rewards offers points on organic products? You’ll also save on natural juices, low-calorie meals, sugar-free drinks, cauliflower pasta, and more. Try something new today!

To learn more about Fetch rewards, click here.

If Fetch Rewards seems like an app you’d enjoy, check this out: Use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score 2000 points after you scan in your first receipt with Fetch Rewards. That’s 2/3 to your first $3 Amazon Gift Card (or whatever $3 Gift Card you choose). You can find Fetch Rewards in your app store.

If you use my code, I’ll get 4000 points when you scan your first receipt. Win/Win, right? Honestly, my disclosure statement is here. I’m here to help ya’ll save money, not make a million dollars!