family

Dream Dinners Fundraiser: Feed 37 people when You Buy 3 Meals for $50!

Abby H.

This just popped into my inbox, and I had to share.

You could feed a classroom full of children when you buy 3 Meals for $50 at the Dream Dinners Foundation Fundraiser.

When you buy 3 Medium Meals for only $50 for you to take home to enjoy with your family, the Dream Dinners Foundation will match the donation. The money raised from this fundraiser will go directly to pay for the supplies needed to pack 20,000 meals! The meals will be distributed to families with food insecurities both locally and abroad.

There are 5 options to choose from, and they are all GREAT. We love the Central Park Garlic Chicken with Oven Roasted Broccoli.

Meals will be available for pick up on Wednesday, May 18th, Curbside Pick up 4pm -6pm.

If you are interested in attending the volunteer meeting to learn more about how you can participate, you can also purchase this fundraiser special and attend the meeting. Call/Text 619-460-6800 or email lamesaca@dreamdinners.com for more details about that meeting.

hand to handmeal packing volunteer tablegirls with plates

Tryazon: Sweeten Lunchtime with Zollipops and Lunch Notes!

Abby H.

We’ve been participating in Tryazon events for three+ years. We’ve gotten to try all sorts of fun toys, games, and food.  You can learn more about Tryazon here.

Brighten your kids’ lunchtime with this Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, from Zolli Candy and MyWish4U. Zolli Candy is all sugar free and is supercharged with smile-friendly, natural ingredients that are actually good for your teeth! Zolli naturally balances your pH and reduces acid in your mouth making it the perfect way to end lunch! ZolliPops and Zaffi are diabetic friendly, keto, gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan. Lunch Notes From Me® are a series of notes to tuck in your kids’ lunch to make sure they know they are loved and thought about when they are at school. They have a variety of notes including Facts & Funnies, Riddles & Giggles, Brainteasers & Giggles, and more!

Tryazon has 100 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack valued at $75+ with a variety of Zolli Candy and Lunch Notes From Me® to share with friends and family! Learn more and apply here.

Tryazon: Five Crowns & Farkle Game Night from PlayMonster

Abby H.

We’ve been participating in Tryazon events for three+ years. We’ve gotten to try all sorts of fun toys, games, and food.  You can learn more about Tryazon here.

It’s game nighttime with this Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, from PlayMonster. Featuring the award-winning card game, Five Crowns, and an additional bonus game, Farkle! Five Crowns is a five-suited rummy-style card game that is sure to become a favorite.  Its unique double-deck contains five suits: spades, clubs, hearts, diamonds, and stars! The rotating wild card keeps players on their toes! The game isn’t over ‘til the Kings go wild!

They have a total of 250 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack with Five Crowns and Farkle, to sample and share with friends and family! Learn more and apply here.

Tasty Treats and Snacks from Annie’s!

Abby H.

My kids are huge fans of Annie’s.

And I am too. You can sign up for inspiring meal ideas everybunny will love — from breakfast to dinner and all the joyful snackertunities in between from Annie’s.

Their website is full of fun recipes and you can order a free sticker too! If you aren’t familiar with Annie’s, here is why I love them:

  • Its mission is to cultivate a healthier and happier world by spreading goodness through nourishing foods, honest words, and conduct that is considerate and forever kind to the planet.
  • They strive to account for the environmental, social, and economic impacts of our business, and each year we report on our progress.
  • They believe food has the power to impact the future of the planet and everybody on it.

5/10/2022 Weekly Meal Plan!

Abby H.

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If you follow me on IG, you know yesterday was CRAZAY.

This morning I spent 3 hours chopping, roasting, dicing, mincing, sauteing, and making so many tasty foods. I made a big green salad, a marinated salad, sauteed onions, yellow peppers, and mushrooms for omelets, roasted tons of veggies, and cut carrots into carrot sticks for the kids to snack on. Oh, and the strawberries and melons are so good. I may have eaten some of them while cutting them up. sorrynotsorry.

Our veggies and fruit are delivered by Yasukochi Family Farms CSA. For $28, it’s a great deal. I don’t have to pick anything, go to the store, or carry it upstairs. I can’t go to the store and get the same amount we get weekly for $28. Seriously. It’s a deal. They email a preview of what will be in the boxes over the weekend, so I can start thinking about what I’d like to make.

I went to the grocery store last night to pick up milk and some misc. groceries last night. With the increase in food costs, we are leaning more and more on our CSA box each week as the base of most of our meals.

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. I’m back to packing lunches again. However, school lunches are free this year- Little Bit has been buying her lunch and expanding her palate.  The big kid still brings lunch from home.

Dinner: We’re working our way through our monthly Dream Dinners order, and I am making two this week. We’ve got our usual Monday Nuggets and Friday Pizza planned, but other than that I’m cooking a lot this week!

Two Chances to Celebrate National Shrimp Day at Rubio’s (5/9 & 5/10)!

Abby H.

Are you craving Shrimp? Rubio’s has you covered!

Celebrate National Shrimp Day at Rubio’s on two days this year, Monday, May 9, and Tuesday, May 10, when all Rubio’s shrimp entrées are just $6.99 with the purchase of any drink. Simply enter the coupon code TASTY with your order through the Rubio’s app, or online at Rubios.com. Or, scan the coupon when ordering at any Rubio’s.

Rubio’s guests can visit locations across California, Arizona, and Nevada and enjoy any shrimp entrée on the menu, including seasonal favorites, the Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp bowl, burrito, or two taco plate.

Available for a limited time, the wild-caught, grilled Red Argentinian Shrimp features a sweet-spicy kick of honey and chipotle peppers. With its large size, bright color, and exceptional flavor, wild Red Argentinian Shrimp is a Rubio’s fan favorite. Guests can also choose other popular shrimp entrees including the Salsa Verde Shrimp two taco plate, the Shrimp and Bacon burrito, or the Mexican Street Corn bowl with grilled shrimp.

Guests are encouraged to order ahead through the Rubio’s app or Rubios.com. For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill and to view the menu, visit Rubio’s, Facebook and Instagram.

 

Recipe: Hot Honey Ginger Carrots!

Abby H.

This recipe is so easy and so tasty. You probably already have some (if not all) of these ingredients in your kitchen.

We get carrots in our Yasukochi Family Farms CSA box every week, and with a few extras we have hanging around in our fridge, I make these weekly.

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 lbs of carrots
  • 2 T oil of your choice, I used Yasukochi Farms Olive Oil
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 3 Tablespoons Yasukochi Farms Honey
  • Pinch Ground Ginger
  • Pinch Pepper Flakes

Directions:

  1. Place a foil-lined baking sheet in a cold oven. Pre-heat to 425 degrees.
  2. While the oven and pan heat, peel and cut into spears or bite-sized pieces, and toss carrots in oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Roast carrots in the oven for 20 minutes, stirring mid-way.
  4. Once the carrots are cooked, toss in a bowl with honey, ginger, and pepper flakes, as serve right away.

These carrots are so good. If you don’t want the heat from the pepper flakes, omit them. The honey and ginger plays nicely with the natural sweetness from the carrots.

5/6/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

I’m off work today! It’s Lunch on the Lawn at my kiddos school. We’ll have lunch with Bitty first, then with The Big Kid. It’s going to be a warm, sunny day. I’m looking forward to meeting their friends.

There are so many awesome freebies and deals this week, and the weather this weekend is supposed to be AWESOME here in San Diego.

Mask Mandates are changing constantly in California and can vary by city and county, so please do your part if you are going to any in-person freebies.

2022 Birthday Freebies are here!

Freebies:

Free Lego Duplo Floating Animal Train or Red Panda Playset
Free Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel
Free Sample of Nars Orgasm Blush
Free USPS Shipping Supplies
Free Kerasal Foot Care & Nail Care Products
Free Gatsby Chocolate Bar
Free Subscription to Women’s Health Magazine
Free Picket Fence Planter from Home Depot
Free Hearthsong Ninjaline Ninja Star 7-Piece Hanging Obstacle Co
25 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free Lego Duplo Floating Animal Island Playset
Free Walmart Welcome Baby Registry Box
Free Bowhunting World or Predator Xtreme Magazine
Free National Parks Pass for Military & Dependents
Free Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes
Octoly – Free Beauty Products
Free Aveda Botanical Repair Product
Free Sample of Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio
Free Tena Sample Kits
Free ClarityRx Down + Dirty Microexfoliant Sample
Free Sample of VetriScience Calming Supplement for Dogs
Free RollinGreens Plant-Based Me’eat
Free Bubbies Gluten-Free Mochi Ice Cream
FREE Personalized Children’s Book – Only $1 Shipping
Free Subscription to LEGO Life Magazine
Free Sew & Stuff Rainbow Craft Kit at Joann
Free Sample of Mizensir Ambre Magique Fragrance

Deals:

Igloo MaxCold Evergreen 28qt Cooler ONLY $29.99 (Reg. $60)
Calico Critters Village Pizzeria ONLY $19.97 (Reg. $40)
55% Off Bogs Women and Girl Boots + 15% Off at Checkout
Barbie Doll and Grocery Store ONLY $14.99 (Reg $30)
VIP Pets Color Boost Styling Head ONLY $10 (Reg. $30)
75% Off Bionica Lightweight Strides + 15% Off at Checkout
Reebok Mini Backpack ONLY $9.49 (Reg $30)
Guess Women’s Pranze Sneakers ONLY $38.81 (Reg $69)
Reebok Racerback Bralette Set ONLY $6.99 (Reg $26)
Imaginext DC Gotham City Playset ONLY $25.51 (Reg. $60)
Sterling Silver Mama Bracelet ONLY $20 (Reg $125)
Sedona 12-Inch Roasting Pan & Rack for ONLY $7.96 (Reg. $40)
Up to 60% Off Joe’s Jeans + 15% Off at Checkout
Lite-Brite Ultimate Classic Retro Toy ONLY $7.49 (Reg. $20)
Igloo MaxCold Evergreen Backpack Cooler ONLY $22.49 (Reg. $45)

Free Craft Event at JCPenney for Kids 5/14/2022

Abby H.

Are you heading to the mall on 5/14? Check out this fun, free craft from JCPenney’s.

Visit the Kids Zone inside JCPenney and kids can decorate a holiday magnet.  Parents/Adults score a 10% off coupon, which can be combined with another coupon. JCP Coupons can be found here.

JCPenney hosts a fun craft event in store for kids on the second Saturday of each month.  They are easy for kids, and fun, free activity.

In-store events are only where local mandates allow.  All kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Looking forward to June, there is a cute baseball craft, which includes beads, charms, a cord, keyring, card, envelope, and marker.

And if you are looking for Mother’s Day deals, check out the JCP Doorbusters! You’ll save 60% off regular prices!

 

Free Food Resources for May 2022(San Diego County)

Abby H.

Woo! A new month means a reminder about all of hte free food options there are here in San Diego County.

The spring is bringing many new and improved free and low-cost food options around San Diego County! I posted last week about The Feeding San Diego Together Tour.

Keep in mind there are still supply chain issues, so there may not be a lot of food at some distributions, especially those that serve a large portion of the community.

I recommend showing up a little early with a bottle of water and a book and waiting in line. Time passes quickly in these lines, and it’s a great time to learn from others about community food options. Remember to socially distance and follow local masking regulations.

You can find resources here for Central and East County, and Here for North County.

Our friends at Faith Chapel are super ahead of the game and sent out information regarding their 2022 food distributions early on in the year.

If you are located outside San Diego County, call 211. If you are not familiar with 211, here is their website and it can point you in the right direction.

San Diego Food Bank Distributions for May 2022 can be found here. Enter your address (or just your zip code) and the map will show you all of the distributions in your area or closest to you. You can filter by the days of the week to find food when you are available. If there is an income requirement/limit to participate, each location/listing will say such.

Neighbor distributions are intermixed with the San Diego Food Bank Distributions, however, they have no income requirements, and you come as you are. These Distributions are primarily fruits & veg, however, some locations may also distribute canned goods, dairy, and bread.

Super Pantry Locations can be found here (this listing is countywide). The San Diego Foodbank website also has resources for Diaper banks, free food resources for seniors, and more.

All kids in public school K-12 in the State of California are eligible for free breakfasts and lunches at school. More information can be found here. 

If you know of other resources, please leave a comment! And feel free to share this post with anyone you may know in need.