Author: Abby H.

Try New Fitness Classes with ClassPass for Free!

Abby H.

I saw someone online talking about this last week (and promptly lost the link), and after some searching, I found this offer!
I love to exercise, and I love trying new classes, however, my current gym doesn’t have a lot of classes that are available when I’m available.

ClassPass is an app that helps you find cool new workout opportunities near you! Right now, ClassPass has a 14-day free trial so you can try different classes and fitness centers in your to find a good fit. I love that ClassPass is affordable too. I have a basic gym membership that’s cheaper than a pizza, and I can supplement it with ClassPass.

Whether you want to sweat it out with a HIIT class, unwind with a massage, or stream a yoga class from your home, ClassPass makes prioritizing your health and wellness easy.

ClassPass gives you worldwide access to thousands of top-rated gyms, fitness studios, salons, and spas.

Looking for something where you don’t have to leave home? Check out these free streaming videos on Amazon Prime. 

**This post may contain affiliate links, for more information about how we use affiliate links, please visit our Disclosure page.**

Jar Salads- Healthy Meal Prep!

Abby H.

I love salad. We eat a lot of veggies because of our Yasukochi Famil Farms CSA box subscription, and I’m always looking for new ways to serve veggies and keep them fresh.

Jar salads have already had their heyday a few years ago, but they are an amazing meal prep idea. Many of us have Eating Healthy and Losing Weight are New Year’s Resolutions- Jar Salads are a great tool.

It’s quite popular to use wide Mouth quart Mason jars, but I’m a little clumsy, so I prefer Quart-sized deli containers.   I also find that Quart-sized deli containers are a little more economical and can easily be recycled when they wear out. And they stack really well in the fridge.

Whichever option you choose, here are some tips for perfecting your salad creations.

Whether you use a quart-size Mason Jar or a quart-size deli container, start with 2 tablespoons of dressing and build your salad.

Bottom Layer: The base where wetter ingredients go. Putting the wetter ingredients together helps keep the more delicate ingredients like lettuce crunchy. Ingredients for the bottom sections include: Dressing, salsa/sauce, tomatoes, guacamole, avocadoes, strawberries, citrus, and grains (rice, quinoa, pasta, farro).

Middle Layer: Beans, bell peppers, corn, seeds/nuts, onions, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, hard cheeses, sprouts, pickled veggies, hardboiled eggs, tofu, and other protein sources such as chopped chicken breast. Shredded cabbage or coleslaw blend/ shreds can also go on this layer.

Top Layer: Bite-size lettuce or other greens.

 

These salads can be really filling, depending on which ingredients you choose. 3-5 salads a week is a great start. Jar salads like this tend to last 5-7 days in the fridge, stored upright. 

DIY Salad Dressing- Easy and Tasty!

Abby H.

Making Salad Dressing is so easy, and for so long I had no idea.

I love cooking, and I have limited experience making salad dressings.

But with the cost of food rising, I thought I’d give it a shot.

Below is my “template” for making a quick salad dressing, and a few ideas for some tasty dressings.

This recipe makes enough to dress a few salads, but not as much as a full mass-produced bottle. With no preservatives, these sauces will last 7-10 days- if they don’t get eaten sooner.

  • 1/4 cup Olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (Vegetable or canola)
  • 6 tablespoons acid- Citrus juice, vinegar (red wine, champagne, balsamic, rice wine, and apple cider are good choices)
  • 2 tablespoon tablespoons honey or other sweetener (agave, maple)
  • 1 teaspoon emulsifier (Stone ground or Dijon mustard or mayonnaise) 
  • Salt and pepper as needed 
  • Herbs or seasoning as desire

Here are a few of my favorite combinations:

  • Lemon juice, 2 Tablespoons lemon zest, 2 t. powdered ginger, honey, Dijon mustard
  • Red Wine Vinegar, honey, stone ground mustard, 2T. Italian seasoning, 1t. granulated garlic
  • Apple Cider Vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, 1t. granulated garlic

Remember to store these in the fridge after you make them and shake them well before using them!

And if you are looking for some of my favorite salads, here is a great round-up of salad recipes.

Penzeys Sale: $50 and $100 Gift Cards on Sale!

Abby H.

This is one of my favorite deals. It makes a great gift for the home cook, baker, or foodie in your life. It can be used in-store or online.

This deal is back, but only until midnight Monday, January 6, 2025.

Penzeys is offering a $50 Heal the World Gift Card for $35 and  $100 Care Gift Card for $70. 

The Fine Print:

*Penzeys Heal the World Gift Card Offer Details
Limit TEN Penzeys $50 Heal the World Gift Cards for $35. Cannot be used on date of purchase. Cannot be used to purchase other gift cards. Not applicable to prior sales, not valid with other offers. Not for resale. While supplies last. Offer ends midnight Monday, January 6, 2025.

*Penzeys Care Gift Card Offer Details
Limit TEN Penzeys $100 Care Gift Cards for $70. Cannot be used on date of purchase. Cannot be used to purchase other gift cards. Not applicable to prior sales, not valid with other offers. Not for resale. While supplies last. Offer ends midnight Monday, January 6, 2025.

Free Admission to SeaWorld for Preschoolers, Teachers, and Military!

Abby H.

SeaWorld has three amazing offers for free admissions.

 The 2025 Preschool Fun Card
The first park visit must occur on or before 04/28/2025 in order to activate the card. Preschool Fun Cards are valid for unlimited admission through December 31, 2025. Blockout dates apply*

All children must be accompanied by an adult with separate ticket admission, the 2025 Preschool Fun Card is not valid for adult admission. Preschooler’s age will be verified at the turnstiles upon park entry (please bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate, travel passport or other valid form of ID).

*Blockout date: 5/25, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/31

The 2025 Teacher Free Annual Fun Card
SeaWorld® San Diego is proud to offer a complimentary 2025 Teacher Fun Card to all certified K-12 Southern California and Arizona credentialed schoolteachers.
Log In with your Teacher ID here to qualify for this promotion and see the offer.

Veteran Military Offer
SeaWorld is proud to support Veteran Military Members with special offers.
To show their appreciation for those who have served our country, SeaWorld San Diego offers FREE tickets to SeaWorld San Diego for U.S. Military Veterans and up to three friends or family members. You can also purchase up to six additional tickets at 50% off.

Get your tickets by verifying your military status through GovX.com here.

 

And if you qualify for none of these free passes, SeaWorld has the 2025 Fun Card on Sale!

Holiday Sale: Fun Cards Only $94.99!
Enjoy unlimited visits to SeaWorld San Diego NOW through 2025! Valid until December 31, 2025.

1/2/2025 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: Shopping
Who: Adults 18+ years of age
Date: January 22 – February 6, 2025
Duration/type: 2-Day online bulletin board (60-min each day/ 2-hrs total) + in-home immersion/ in-person shop-along (select respondents will be chosen)
Incentive: $200 for online bulletin board, $350 for Immersion + Shop-along
Location: From the comfort of your home or office, Shop-along: TBD
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: Beauty & Skincare Products
Who: Women 18+
Date: January 13-17, 2025
Duration/type: 75-min Virtual Focus Groups
Incentive: $125
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.

Topic: Drink Additives
Who: Adults, 25-60 yr old
When: January 27-31, 2024
Where: Online webcam
Length: 60 min
Incentive: $125
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Looking for other ways to earn money in 2025? Check out my Side Hustles Page here.

Earn Money with Surverys from Pincone Research!

Abby H.

If you’ve been a reader of this blog for a while, you know how much I love Pinecone Research. I’ve been singing its praises for years.

I received an email the other day, they are looking for new members. Signing up is easy, just start here. 

Here are the guidelines:

  • Must be 18+ years old, and living in the US.
  • Must not live in the same household as a current panel member.

They send you an email notification when you have a survey available. Complete the survey and earn points to be redeemed for either cash or prizes. Occasionally, they will send you a product to test, too.

I do around 5 surveys with Pinecone Research a month.

2025 New Years Sale from Yasukochi Family Farms!

Abby H.


If you are looking to eat healthier this year, and save time, and money, this offer will help with all three!

Yasukochi Family Farms is offering a deal on all of their CSA box sizes through January 4, 2025.

They have deals on subscriptions from 1 month, all the way to 9 months!

To learn more, and see pricing, visit their website here.

We’ve been receiving their boxes for 4 years and it’s an amazing value.

New Years Resolutions for 2025: Let Me Help You!

Abby H.

It’s that time of year when folks start writing up their New Year’s resolutions. I don’t plan on doing any for the coming year, just continuing to do what I’m doing now.

As I have written extensively in the past about this, I thought I’d lend you some help if this is a project you are diving into. Some of the most popular NYR include saving money, earning money, spending less money, and getting organized.

12/24/2024 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: Home Furniture
Who: Adults 35+ years of age
Date: January 23, 2025
Duration/type: 60-minute online (webcam required)
Incentive: $150
Location: From the comfort of your home or office

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: Drink Additives
Who: Adults, 25-60 yr old
When: January 27-31, 2024
Where: Online webcam
Length: 60 min
Incentive: $125

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: Kitchen Products
Who: Adults, 25 yr+
When: January 6 and 7, 2025
Where: Online via webcam
Length: 1 hour + Assignment
Incentive: $125 (1 hr session) + $50 (Assignment)

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: Young & Expectant Parents
Who: Adults, 18+
When: January 8th to 10th, 2025
Where: Online Bulletin Board
Length: 2 Hours total
Incentive: $250

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