Author: Abby H.

Recipe: Banana chocolate chip muffins

Abby H.

I made these muffins after I discovered some overly ripe bananas chilling on the counter last weekend.

These are made with Kodiak Flapjack mix instead of AP flour. This gives the recipe a little more protein and a little more filling.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
  • 6 tablespoons oil/fat of your choice (melted butter, coconut oil, avocado oil)
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark, your choice)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk of choice 
  • 1.5 cups Kodiak Flapjack Mix
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips of choice
Nutritional Information Courtesy of Fitness Pal

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Line muffin tin cups with cupcake liners.
  3. In a bowl, combine all ingredients except flapjack mix and chips with an electric mixer.
  4. Once the wet ingredients are fully combined, blend in flapjack mix.
  5. Stir in chocolate chips.
  6. Evenly distribute batter into lined tin wells.
  7. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick/knife comes out clean after inserted into muffins.
  8. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

This recipe is not vegan. Kodiak Flapjak mix contains milk ingredients.

New Yorkers: Lower Your Con Ed bill and get a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Abby H.

Free $25 Amazon Gift CardI know I’m in California, but OhmConnect has extended its program to New York and I had to share.

I’ve been using OhmConnect since its inception, and we’ve saved so much energy (and money on our power bill) and earned hundreds of dollars in rewards.

When New Yorkers sign up, they’ll score a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card!

Get started with OhmConnect today and see for yourself why 200,000 New Yorkers are using this free, money-saving service.

As always,  I only post about products and services I personally use and I feel are a good fit for my family and my readers. Please refer to my disclosure page.

 

Reset Day Rituals: Set yourself up for success

Abby H.

I’ve posted on Instagram before about my weekend reset ritual, which, I usually do on Sundays. I wanted to share my complete rituals/routines (your choice), in hopes it may inspire you. Having all of these rituals in place really keeps the Sunday Scaries away.

Starting the week ahead of the game fills me with a feeling of success.

These may be things you already do. I feel that having these reminders all in one place is super helpful. I have these reminders set in my phone as well.


Having outfits set up in my closet is key for me. I didn’t do it last week, and I was off my game every morning- I was spending so much time deciding what to wear.

I’m tweaking my sleep hygiene routine, but, as soon as I find one that works, I’ll post about it. The older I get, the more I value my sleep.

4/15/2024 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 with online studies they are looking to fill. Here are the latest studies:

Subject: Grocery Store Options
Pays $150
Who: Adults aged 18-56 to participate in an upcoming virtual group discussion about Grocery Stores.
Location: US Nationwide Residents
Dates: April 23, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am EST (Sign in by 8:40 am EST)
Study Format: Virtual Group Discussion
Commitment: 80 minutes (plus 30 minute pre-task)
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Subject: Skincare
Pays $200
Who: females ages 25-50 to participate in an upcoming online focus group about skincare.
Location: US Nationwide Residents
Dates: April 29 – May 1, 2024
Study Format: Online Focus Group
Commitment: 2 hours
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Subject: Baby Monitors
Pays $200
Who: Parents and expecting parents who use Android phones to participate in an upcoming study about baby monitors.
Location: US Nationwide Residents
Dates: April 29 – June 17, 2024, (8 weeks)
Study Format: Online
Commitment: 8 weeks of product testing with three 15-minute online questionnaires.
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

4/15/2024 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgFinally, after almost 4 months our kitchen reconstruction is beginning. Friday the 19th the demo will take place, and a few days later the reconstruction will begin. I look forward to having a full kitchen, a sink, and a dishwasher.

I did a quick trip to the grocery store yesterday and picked up some salads, fruit, and cheese.

I cleaned out the pantry and fridge yesterday to prep. I am packing up the kitchen over the next few days.

Thanks to the great freebies from Social Nature, we’ve been trying new foods lately. It’s fun to try new foods.

If you 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 good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

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

Breakfast: I’ve been really into protein coffee lately. It helps me hit my protein goals and keeps me full until lunch. I use premade protein shakes like these and these. The kids request bagels and fruit most mornings. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. The big kid brings his lunch from home every day and the littlest buys her lunch at school about half the time. In California, all public schools provide breakfast and lunch for free.

Dinner: With the kitchen being boxed up and demolished this week, our meals will be cooked in the air fryer, microwave, or cold (salads, sandwiches, etc). We have an electric skillet, so we can have grilled cheese and skillet casseroles.

  • Monday: Chicken strips, green salad, fruit

  • Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner

  • Wednesday: Soup and Grilled Cheese

  • Thursday: Snack trays (turkey, cheese and crackers, fruit, popcorn, cookies)

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftovers
  • Sunday:  Fridge clean out night

Spring 2024 Upcoming Clothing Swaps!

Abby H.

Earth Day is coming soon and that means clothing swaps!

Slow Down Party on Hourglass Field:

  • Tuesday, April 16, 2024
  • Hourglass Field House 10440 Black Mountain Road San Diego, CA 92126.
  • 5 to 7 p.m

Come by to wind down after a long day, exchange some wardrobe pieces, learn about the circular economy, and build community with fellow San Diegans. No registration is required, and walk-ins are welcome. Please bring no more than one grocery bag full of donations that are lightly used with no rips, stains, or odors. Donations are welcome, but not necessary to take home a new outfit!

Celebrate Earth Day with the Mission Trails Regional Park!

  • Monday, April 22, 2024
  • Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail San Diego, CA 92119
  • 6 – 9pm

This swap is a little different because it’s a fundraiser for the park as well as a swap, but it still looks like a fun night!

Women, Men’s, and Children’s Clothing- Clothes should be clean, in wearable condition, and free of stains, rips, or tears that are not part of the clothing design. No undergarments or socks, please. All leftover clothing will be donated.

For more information, please visit the website or contact the park directly. mtrp@mtrp.org
(619) 668-3280

Porchlight clothing swap: The Porchlight clothing swap is back! Just in time for summer.

  • June 8, 2024 
  • 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
  • 9:30-11:30am

For more details, check their website, or their social media. 

If you aren’t in the immediate San Diego, CA area, I suggest googling Clothing Swap (your area) 2024 and see what pops up.

For more info on clothing swaps and clothing for those in need, check out my article here. 

Tea Collection: 20% Off Sitewide!

Abby H.

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

It’s that time of year! Tea Collection is back with their 20% off Friends and Family event.

I love Tea Collection’s cute kid’s clothes, especially their dresses. Now through Sunday, April 21, 2024, save 20% sitewide.

Find everything you need for summer at vacation-friendly prices.  I’m picking up a couple of their SPF 50+ bathing suits for my little lady.

If you’ve got a kiddo from newborn-size 12, there are tons of cute pieces of clothing waiting for your kiddos!

 

4/13/2024 Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

The 2024 Birthday Freebie post is here! Make sure to check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

If you are looking for free food resources, my comprehensive list can be found here. It is focused on San Diego County, but there are additional resources outside my area as well.

We are gearing up to have work done to our home from a water loss. It’s been a long process, but we are sliding into the home stretch. I am very excited to have a new kitchen and new flooring- This weekend I’ll be packing up the kitchen.

Freebies:

Free Kona Ice on April 15th
Mack’s Free Ear Plug’s Giveaway – Every Weekday at 11am EST
Free Vita Coco Treats After Rebate
Free Sample Pack of Vitafol Ultra-FirstStep Capsules Prenatal Vitamins
Free Kids’ Guide to Helping Animals Magazine + Stickers
Free Pretzel at Philly Pretzel Factory on 26th
Free Sample of Black Forest Gummy Bears
Free Bottle of Nature’s Twist After Rebate
Free Sample of New Skin Kids Liquid Bandage Paint
Free Purina SuperPet Smart ID Tag
Free Bag of Yummers After Rebate
Free Box of HoldOn Garbage Bags After Rebate
Free 3pc Chicken Supremes Combo at Bojangles
Free 7-Day Sample of Ubiquinol CoQ10 Health Softgels
Free Cold Brew at Pilot Flying J on April 20th
Free Sample of Stem & Root PMS Relief Supplements
Free Making Minnesota Activity Book
Score 3 Free Old Spice Deodorants at Walmart
Free Pretzel at Wetzel’s Pretzel on 26th
Free Dozen Cookies at Tiff’s Treats
Free Hachette Boardgames Gamer Night Party Pack
Free Jumbo Pretzel at Ben’s Soft Pretzels on 26th
Free Coffee & Espresso Cooking Classes at Williams Sonoma
Free LEGO Creativity Workshops – Sign Up Now
Free Paper Flower Bouquet Collage Craft Event at Michaels
Free Owl Dream Catcher Craft Kit at JCPenney
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Cold Brew at Dunkin’ on April 20th

Safe Smartphones for Kids from Gabb

Abby H.

Have y’all heard of Gabb Phone?

Recently, we’ve been talking about getting the kids phones. They both have devices (kindles), so they don’t need another way to get online, but they do need phones since we don’t have a landline.

Gabb has smartwatches and smartphones and depending on your kids’ age and their needs, there are three different phone plans to choose from.

Receive FREE* Gabb Phone or 50% Off* Gabb Phone 3 Pro and Gabb Watch 3 and One month FREE when you purchase a Plan. That’s a pretty sweet deal.

I’ll spend the weekend looking over all of the details and plans, and then let the kids know.

 

Talk Back: Do your kids have phones?

April is Financial Literacy Month

Abby H.

Financial literacy is near and dear to my heart. I’ve spent much of my adult life working hard to save money, pay bills on time, and live within my means. It is a lot of effort and work, but, it’s made my life less stressful.

In 2020, I wrote a three-part series about making a practical budget that a family can adhere to and how to get some extra help if you need it. This was written during the pandemic, so there is a lot of information and resources, especially for those feeling the financial panic that many felt during the height of the pandemic.

If you already have a budget or feel that your spending is out of control and you aren’t to the point yet where you feel that you need a budget, I did a series of posts in late 2019 about how to reign in the out-of-control spending.

 A big part of financial literacy is tracking where you stand financially. With identity theft happening to 22% of Americans (per a 2022 Bureau of Justice Statistics study), knowing what’s on your credit is important.  Obtaining your free annual credit report is easy.  Free Annual Credit Report is the site that I use.

Once you receive it, go over and verify all of the open accounts are yours. Contact the credit bureaus immediately if there are any incorrect names, addresses, or accounts.

If you are saving for your future, or your kid’s future, here are two great savings opportunities:

Savings bonds- Savings Bonds: The gift that keeps on giving!

529’s/ Educational Savings Accounts- September Is College Savings Month!