family

4/9/2023 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

We finished up our first week of spring break! Next week we’re hitting up the zoo or Safari Park, maybe a few museums at Balboa Park, and if it stays warm, we may go swimming at our community pool.

The 2023 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.

There are some pretty sweet freebies this week- Let’s Dive In!

Freebies:

Free Hershey’s Kisses at Select Stores
Free Flock Chicken Skin Crisps After Rebate
Free His Only Son Movie Ticket
Free Braille Book Every Month
Free Enjoy Life Breakfast Ovals
Free Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Temporary Tattoo
Free Pack of Once Again Cracker Sandwiches
Free Halfday Tea After Rebate
Free 8×10 Photo Print at CVS
Free Albanese Gummi Bears Sample at Sam’s
Free Gamer Supps GG Energy Sample Pack
Free La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen Sample
Free Bottle of Pedialyte at Walmart
Free Minute Maid Aguas Frescas Chatterbox
Free Sample of AERIN Amber Musk Eau de Parfum
Hidden Valley Ranchology Rewards – Free Samples, Tote Bag & More
Free Mexican Fruit Fly Temporary Tattoo
Free 6 oz. Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste at Big Lots
Free Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum Sample

 

Deals:

Shea Moisture Recovery Masque ONLY $1.46 (Reg $3.29)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 ONLY $169 (Reg $349.99)
Today ONLY: $10 Women’s and Girls Shorts at Old Navy
Nexxus Travel Shampoo ONLY $1.99 (Reg $4.99)
Titan Deep Freeze 8qt Roll Top Cooler ONLY $14.99 (Reg $24.99)
Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop ONLY $69 (Reg $100)
Kate Spade Harlow Crossbody ONLY $59 (Reg $279)

Does Your Child Have an IEP? Upcoming Event in San Diego- IEP Conference

Abby H.

The Involved Exceptional Parents Day Planning Committee is sponsoring a 1-Day Conference & Expo for parents and caregivers of children with special needs and disabilities, educators, and service providers on May 13, 2023 at Town and Country Hotel Mission Valley 500 Hotel Circle North San Diego, CA 92108.

I’ve never been, but I’m looking forward to going. There will be all sorts of Empowerment Workshops and Inspirational Ideas. Plus a free lunch and free parking.

And probably the most important part of this post: SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE

If you would like to apply for a scholarship from Exceptional Family Resource Center, contact Lisa Fisher at llfisher@sdsu.edu or call (619) 594-7416. You will be prompted to enter a code at checkout.

San Diego Regional Center also has scholarships available. Please contact Sonia Griffin at Sonia.Griffin@sdrc.org or call (619) 336-6691 to request Authorization. The conference vendor number is PY2843. Once approved, they will provide you with a code to enter at registration checkout.

For more information, check out their Eventbrite page here.

Dream Dinners: Lower Minimum Order, Lots of Tasty Options!

Abby H.

Dream Dinners is one of my favorite ways to save time and get tasty, healthy meals on the table in 45 minutes or less!

If you haven’t tried Dream Dinners yet, now is the perfect time! They have lowered their minimum orders to three meals. And April has some of my favorite meals:

  • Chicken with Honey, Garlic, and Orange with Oven Roasted Broccoli
  • Chateau Chicken with Almond Butter Sauce
  • Sonoma Grilled Steak
  • Tuscan Chicken Bake
  • Classic French Dip and Au Jus

I am picking up my Dream Dinners order tomorrow afternoon, and it is definitely coming in the clutch over spring break. We’ll be able to have our usual fun adventures and I’ll be able to get dinner on the table.

If you want to learn more, find your local Dream Dinner location, or place an order, click here.

Free Covid-19 Tests Delivered to Your Door!

Abby H.

I don’t know about you, but we’re still using Covid-19 tests on the regular. After visits to busy places, after traveling, and when the kids’ and I have someone in their class test positive.

Running out to the drugstore at the last minute- No Thanks!

With this offer, Request your COVID-19 Tests NOW, and don’t pay last-minute prices at the Store. They verify your insurance, and you receive Covid-19 Test Kits automatically each month at NO COST to you!

I did it this morning, and the test kits are on their way!

To get started, click here.

Weekly Meal Plan: Spring Break Edition!

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis past weekend was PACKED. I finally sat down to write up my meal plan yesterday. This week and next are spring break for the kiddos and me. We are also having out-of-town guests, so I needed to plan out snacks and meals.

Thankfully our Yasukochi Family Farms  CSA box is delivered on Mondays, and that is a huge help when it comes to meal planning.

I prepped a bunch of veggies last night and this morning, including chopping veggies to roast, making a kale salad, and making a fruit salad.

I’ll be making some soups for the freezer this week as well, and I’ve got a new recipe to share.

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

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 (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to 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 each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. With Spring Break and lots of adventures out of the house, I’ll be packing snacks to take with us on the road. We’re definitely going to the free museum Tuesday at Balboa Park.

Dinner: I’m making sure to start our meals with lots of veggies. Now that I’m back in the gym and the kids are both in Martial Arts, we need to fuel our bodies properly.

  • Sunday: Soup and Salad
  • Monday: Mac and cheese, fruit, toast

  • Tuesday:  Salad with grilled chicken, roasted asparagus

  • Wednesday: Moosie’s Pot Roast, Roasted Veggies

  • Thursday: Fritatta, Corn Muffins, Fruit Salad

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftovers

April 3, 2023: Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day!

Abby H.

It’s BAAACCCCK!!!

Tomorrow is the day! Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s locations all across the US from noon until 8pm.

Find your local participating location here.

There is one in San Diego:  Seaport Village.

If you’ve never been, the line at Seaport Village goes pretty fast. It’s a great time, enjoying a tasty treat and watching the boats in the bay!

 

 

3/25/2023 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

Spring break starts next Friday at 2:01pm! WOO HOO!

This week has been busy, as usual. I’ve started back at the gym after a 3-year hiatus and plan to slowly regain my upper body strength.

The 2023 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.

There are some pretty sweet freebies this week- Let’s Dive In!

Freebies:

Free Subscription to Bon Appetit
Free Coca-Cola Bottle Opener at Select Stores
Free AUVI-Q Back-to-School Kit
Free Hungry Buddah Keto Bars
Free Member’s Mark Coffee Pods at Sam’s
Free Bloomingdale’s Little Freebies Box
Free Blue Light Laser Pen for Wrinkles & Acne
Free Drink of Your Choice at Wawa
Possible Free Jan Marini Skincare Samples
Free Flock Chicken Skin Crisps After Rebate
Free 2023 Our Lady Calendar
Free Keds Stickers
Free ZenBiome Cope & Sleep Supplements
Free HOP WTR After Rebate
Free Seaworld Teacher Fun Card
Free Gain Fireworks Scent Boosters at Sam’s
Free The Good Patch Wellness Patch Sample
Free Happy Sloth Co. Sticker
POPSUGAR Dabble – Free Beauty Products
Free Dog Grooming Tools
Free L’Oreal Everpure Bond Strengthening Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Free Royal Canin Kitten Chatterbox
Free Simply Smartfood Popcorn at Stop & Shop
Free Truly Grass Fed Cheese at Publix
Free 8.4 oz. Can of Red Bull at Big Lots
Free Everyone Is Welcome Here Poster for Teachers
Free Goodles Mac & Cheese
Free Sample of Downy Unstopables at Sam’s
Free Haig Delicacies Dips at Ralph’s After Rebate
Free Pete & Gerry’s Pasture-Raised Eggs
Free Hartz Nature’s Shield Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo
Free Pom-Pom Chick Wreath Craft Event at Michaels

Deals
Ulta 21 Days of Beauty: 50% Off Boxum, IT Cosmetics & Benefit
Buzz Lightyear Figure ONLY $3.29 (Reg. $11.99)
Free Wet n Wild Cosmetics – Last Day
Home Edit Bento Box Food Storage Container ONLY $11.98 (Reg $20)
ChuckIt! Indoor Roller Dog Toy Ball ONLY $4.48 (Reg. $9.99)
Better Homes & Gardens Canister 3pk ONLY $10.97 (Reg. $18.28)

3/19/2023 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI’m back to Meal planning on Sundays. We receive an email on Saturdays from   Yasukochi Family Farms letting us know roughly what will be in our CSA box that is delivered on Monday afternoon.

Sunday I tend to prep proteins, make a batch of soup (incorporating a majority of the leftover veggies from that week’s CSA box), take stock of the pantry, fridge, and freezer, and lay out our basic meal plan for the week.

Today I’ll be making a few big batches of soup- half to go in the freezer, and half to serve this week. I may also make a batch of spaghetti sauce too.

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

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 (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to 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 each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard 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: Lots of veggies this week! We’re running low on meat, and with the price of it increasing, we’ll be enjoying plenty of vegetable-based meals this week.

  • Sunday: Chili on baked potatoes, roasted asparagus (kids will be having baked potatoes dressed to their preference)
  • Monday: Soup and salad (or protein shakes and salad)

  • Tuesday:  Vegetable Soup and Cheese Toast

  • Wednesday: Nuggets, fruit, crackers, and cheese (the typical Wednesday night dinner)

  • Thursday: Ramona’s Mess (Recipe coming up this week), fruit salad

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftovers

1 Month Free Panera Unlimited Sip Club

Abby H.

It’s Back!

This is a pretty good deal, especially if you live near (or work near) a Panera.

If you redeem your Panera Unlimited Sip Club daily during your monthly subscription, that works out to about 30¢ per day. Subscribe now and get your first month free. After that, it’s just $11.99/month (plus tax).

Any Size, Any Flavor-Includes unlimited hot coffee, iced coffee, and hot tea. Plus you’ll receive $0 Delivery Fee all year, and a FREE custom calendar from Shutterfly.

Get any size, any flavor once up to every 2 hours, with unlimited refills while you’re in the cafe. That means plenty of coffee to pair with your favorite bagel, breakfast sandwich, or sweet treat. YUM!

And it’s super easy to use when you order. Redeem your subscription like a MyPanera Reward at the register, kiosk PaneraBread.com, or on our app. Add an eligible beverage to your cart and will be automatically redeemed upon checkout.

Unlimited Sip Club members score benefits like Sip Club Saturday deals, VIP challenges, and more.

To sign up or learn more, click here.

3/25/2023 KPBS Be My Neighbor Day!

Abby H.

My kids loved Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood when they were tiny. I watched Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood when I was little. I love the lessons of kindness, sharing, and how Daniel and the whole Land of Make Believe gang live and work together to make their world a better place.

So imagine how excited I was when KPBS reached out to share Be My Neighbor Day.

In celebration of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (DTN) and PNC Grow Up Great® (an initiative of The PNC Financial Services Group), Fred Rogers Productions is working with PBS stations across the country to host Be My Neighbor Day community events. Building on the values and themes of DTN, the events are used as an opportunity for member stations to collaborate with new and existing partners while promoting local volunteerism, family engagement, and community development.

KPBS is excited to join forces with local community partners to host San Diego’s first-ever Be My Neighbor Day on Saturday, March 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the KPBS station on the San Diego State University campus. Young children (ages 0-8) and their families will celebrate kindness and learn how their neighbors are working to improve our region’s natural environment (and preserve the planet!) through interactive displays and meaningful activities. Current exhibitors include America’s Finest Charter School, Climate Science Alliance, Girl Scouts San Diego, Japanese Friendship Garden Society of San Diego, Living Coast Discovery Center, Salk Education Outreach, San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, and the SDSU Office of Energy and Sustainability.

If you and your family want to check out Be My Neighbor Day, click here.