San Diego, CA Area Residents: FREE Produce and Perishable Groceries- 11/13/2020

Our friends over at Faith Chapel understand that with all that’s going on in the world that some of us still need help finding healthy food during this difficult time. And that’s it not always safe for us to go to the store or hit up a farmers market.

Distribution is happening every Friday in November, beginning at 10:00am.

This is a drive-thru style event, so you don’t have to leave your vehicles. There is no paperwork, no questions asked. Show up, pop your trunk, and fresh food is loaded for you, and you are on your way!

Here is a picture of what was available in previous weeks! Sometimes you get produce, sometimes is eggs, milk, and other dairy products and meat- it changes weekly!

Faith Chapel is located at 9400 Campo Road Spring Valley, CA 91977

11/10/2020 Weekly Meal Plan!

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI’ve been trying to meal plan on Sundays, but this weekend got away from me. It was raining, so we spent a lot of time playing indoors: Playmobils, Legos, drawing and doing crafts. Not a lot of time to sit down at in front of the computer.

The past few weeks I’ve been cooking larger batches of recipes, so this week we’re pulling out a batch of Salsa chicken from the freezer. I found a batch of veggie red sauce in the freezer too. I’m hoping to put together some soups this week for lunches and stash some in the freezer. I love making soup- It’s easy and frugal. and sooo tasty.

If you have kids between 2-18, check with your local school to see if they are offering free lunches and/or breakfasts. You can also check the USDA Website– but it might be a little out of date.

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 update it after every shopping trip), 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.

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 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. recently the Big Kid has been on a protein shake kick in the AM.

Lunches will be whatever the kids want for the time being. The big kid has lunch at school, so it’s whatever he chooses from the lunch box in the cupboard, plus some fruit and juice or milk. Since the little girl is in the morning cohort at school, she has lunch at home. Buttered noodles, yogurt, apple slices, and a popsicle are her go-to lunch.

Usually, I do a crockpot meal on Mondays, but now that we are home all the time, we’ve been having an odd combination of fully home-cooked, scratch meals, and frozen entrees and veggies. I have been posting our meal plans on Instagram too- As well as pics of stuff we are doing to keep busy.

  • Sunday:  Leftovers
  • Monday:  Soup, veggies/fruit, and garlic bread
  • Tuesday: Veggie Nuggets and Fruit (Big kid has OT in the late afternoon, so it’s always a quick dinner on Tuesday)
  • Wednesday:  Salsa Chicken, Rice, and steamed veggies
  • Thursday: Spaghetti with veggie red sauce, salad, and garlic bread
  • Friday:  Pizza Night!
  • Saturday: Leftovers

Please stay safe you guys! The sooner we flatten the curve, the sooner life can go back to normal- whatever that means.

Talk Back: What are you cooking for dinner this week?

Free Thanksgiving Dinner from Ibotta!

Ibotta and Walmart has hooked up to offer you a free Thanksgiving dinner! Seriously! If you are new to Ibotta, it’s a cashback app that is super easy to use.

This deal is super easy to do:

  • Download the Ibotta app.
  • Download the Ibotta browser extension to your computer and log in to Ibotta to discover our newest, most convenient way to shop online.
  • Once you’ve logged in and linked your Walmart account, all nine free Thanksgiving offers will appear in your browser extension immediately (and in the Ibotta app within an hour).
  • Link your Walmart Pickup & Delivery account to shop online with the browser extension. Or, shop at Walmart in-store with the Ibotta app. Either way, you’ll get cash back!
  • After you shop, scan your receipt in the Ibotta app. Once your receipt is verified, the funds will appear in your Ibotta account. You can cash out for Paypal or gift cards- your choice.

So what are you getting for free?

  • FREE Butterball Turkey Breast Roast ($9.98) Offer valid for 100% cash back on all flavors of the 3 lb Butterball turkey roast, which includes a gravy packet. Also valid for $9.98 cash back on Butterball whole turkeys.
  • McCormick Gravy, 0.87 oz Pouch Offer valid for all 0.87 oz McCormick gravy packet flavors. $1.12 Cash Back.
  • Great Value Stuffing Mix, 6 oz Offer valid for all 6 oz Great Value Stuffing Mix flavors. .82 Cash Back.
  • Idahoan Mashed Potatoes, 8 oz Pouch Offer valid for all 8 oz Idahoan Mashed Potato flavors. $1.88 Cash Back
  • Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, 10.5 oz Can Offer valid on 10.5 oz can only .98 Cash Back
  • Great Value Cranberry Sauce, 14 oz Offer valid for all canned 14 oz Cranberry sauce varieties. .98 Cash Back
  • Great Value Green Beans, 12 oz Offer valid on Great Value Fine Green Beans, 12 oz frozen bag $1.34 Cash Back
  • French’s Crispy Fried Onions, 2.8 oz Offer valid on French’s Original Crispy Fried Onions, 2.8 oz. $1.92 Cash Back
  • Coca-Cola, 2 Liter Bottle Offer valid on 2 Liter bottles of Coca-Cola: Cherry Zero Sugar, Vanilla, Caffeine Free, Caffeine Free Zero Sugar, Original Taste & Zero Sugar. $1.25 Cash Back

This is a great opportunity to pick up a meal for free after cashback. And if some of these items aren’t food that you normally eat, food banks will be looking for donations for holiday meals.

You can download the Ibotta app here. When you use my referral code qmo4a, you will receive a bonus (the amount varies) after you redeem your first offer (like this sweet one).

If you’ve got questions, check out the FAQ about this deal here.

 

11/6/2020 Friday Freebies and Deals!

bright boxes

It’s Friday again! Time to score some freebies, pick up a few deals, and stay inside! It’s supposed to rain here this weekend and I am really excited. We need rain in Southern CA badly, and it’s a good excuse to have a lazy weekend and eat popcorn (and leftover Halloween candy).

Check out these sweet freebies and deals, and as always, if you find an amazing deal or freebie, please share it in the comments below.

Freebies:

Free Thanksgiving Dinner After Cashback
Free Subscription to Whisky Advocate Magazine
Free Save USPS Sticker
Free $5 Amazon Credit
Free Sample of Estee Lauder Beautiful Belle Fragrance
Free Botanics Simply Calm Cleansing Milk
Free Well Rested for the Holidays with MegaFood Party Pack
PrismPop – Free Beauty Products
Free Baby’s Busy Day: Being One is So Much Fun! Book
Free Sample of Creme De La Mer Moisturizing Cream
Free St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Virtual Holiday Soiree
Free Subscription to Cigar Aficionado Magazine
Free Kroger Treasure EmporiYUM Snack Sample Box
Free Subscription to Wine Spectator Magazine
Free Workout & HydroMassage at Planet Fitness Nov. 3-8th
Free JDRF Bag of Hope
Free Sample of Lube Tube Multi-Purpose Lubricant
Free Murad Dark Spot Serum & Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector
Free Crown Royal Military Care Package for Our Troops
Free I Remember: Chicago Veterans of War Book
Free Simply Earth Essential Oil Box Subscription
Giant Eagle – Free Helper Bold Mac & Cheese Cup
Free Boiron Acidil Meltaway Tablets
Free Fable & Mane Haircare Samples
Free Kukubird Stationary Set
Free Subscription to Vanity Fair Magazine
Free Bottle of Bedtime Burn
Free Jar of Barilla Vero Gusto Pasta Sauce
Free Starbucks Coffee for Vets, Military & Spouses on 11/11

Deals:

Free Costco Gift Card for New Members
Electric Induction Cooktop 24-Inch $99.99 Shipped (Reg $190)
Oversized Everyday Clutch ONLY $13.99 Shipped (Reg $25)
Jewelry Storage and Organizing Box ONLY $17.99 (Reg $29)
Clinique 5-Piece Kisses Gift Set ONLY $21.25 ($97 Value)
VTech Myla The Magical Unicorn ONLY $29.99 (Reg. $60)
Luminarc 4-Piece Glassware Sets ONLY $3.99 (Reg $25)
The Learning Journey Match it ONLY $5.81 (Reg $12)
Studio Mercantile Wall Ring Toss Game ONLY $11.99 (Reg $30)
L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Disco Bigger Surprise $39.99 (Reg. $90)
Solimo (Amazon Brand) Disinfectant Wipes 3 Pack $8.99
Room on the Broom Board Book ONLY $1.79 (Reg. $8)
MUK LUKS Women’s Melinda Slippers ONLY $18.99 (Reg. $40)
Black Friday 2020 – What You Need to Know
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex Convertible ONLY $329 (Reg $700)
Expo Dry Erase Fine Tip Markers 8-Count ONLY $4.92 (Reg. $14)
LOL Surprise Stylin’ Studio ONLY $9.99 (Reg. $20)
Lost Kitties Mice Mania Multipack ONLY $9.54 (Reg. $20)
Cuisinart Salad Spinner ONLY $14.50 (Reg. $25)
Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum ONLY $98 (Reg $199)
MUK LUKS Women’s Clog With Fur Lining ONLY $14.99 (Reg. $32)
Green Toys Rescue Boat & Helicopter Set ONLY $11.24 (Reg. $25)
Cooks Tools 6-Pc Melamine Mixing Bowl Set ONLY $20 (Reg $50)

Faith Chapel Free Food Distribution UPDATE for November 2020

Heads up friends! I received an email from Pastor Josiah over at Faith Chapel and there is NO food distribution this Friday, November 6th.

However, they are expecting to have distributions every Friday throughout the rest of the month of November, beginning November 13th & all of December.

The next food distribution at 10:00am on November 13th, 2020 at Faith Chapel. 

This is a drive-thru style event, so you don’t have to leave your vehicles. There is no paperwork, no questions asked. Show up, pop your trunk, and fresh food is loaded for you, and you are on your way!

Here is a picture of what was available in previous weeks! Sometimes you get produce, sometimes is eggs, milk, and other dairy products and meat- it changes weekly!

Faith Chapel is located at 9400 Campo Road Spring Valley, CA 91977

 

Family Recipe: Potato Cheese Soup

When I was a kid there was a local restaurant called Piret’s. They served delicious, fresh French food that was unpretentious. One of my favorite dishes to order was their Potato Cheese Soup. They published a cookbook, which my mom bought, and while she cooked a lot of things from the cookbook, the one that was most often made was their Potato Cheese Soup. In fact, to this day when you place the book on the counter, it opens to that recipe.

Today I present my take on Potato Cheese Soup. It’s easy to make, it’s filling, and it tastes sooooo good. Like most soups, it’s better the next day. It freezes well.

You can make it vegetarian by using veggie broth/stock. I do not recommend making it with non-dairy cheese (sorry vegans). You can make it Gluten Free by using GF 1-for-1 flour.

Potato Cheese Soup

Ingredients:

  • 8-10 cups chicken broth or stock (I recommend using stock-homemade is best, but I’m being extra)
  • 2 large yellow or sweet onions, peeled and diced
  • 4 Tablespoons butter, divided in half
  • 1/4 cup white wine (dry- don’t use sweet or cooking wine)
  • 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 Tablespoons AP flour
  • 1.5 cups whole milk
  • 4 cups cheese (I like medium cheddar, but you could use colby, or a sharper cheddar)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. In a large stockpot, melt 2 Tablespoons of butter and saute onions until clear and slightly browned.
  2. Add potatoes and cook for 5-10 minutes until potatoes are slightly translucent.
  3. Deglaze the pan with white wine, make sure to scrape off all the yummy brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Add all of the chicken broth/stock and bay leaves. Cover pot and cook on low for 20-30 minutes, until potatoes are cooked through.
  5. In a smaller pot, melt remaining 2 T. of butter. Sprinkle melted butter with AP flour and stir until a paste forms over a low heat. The paste should brown slightly- DON’T BURN IT!
  6. Pour milk into the flour/butter paste and whisk briskly. You do not want lumps. Cook over low heat until the mixture thickens. This may take a few minutes. As the mixture thickens and there are no lumps, add the cheese slowly, about 1/2 cup at a time, until it is incorporated/melted into the sauce. Once the sauce with complete, remove from heat.
  7. Add the cheese sauce to the soup mixture slowly, stirring constantly. Once it is fully mixed, remove the bay leaves, season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. This step is optional but recommended. Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender (like this one) puree the soup. Put back on the heat, and allow to simmer without the lid for another 20-30 minutes. This will give the soup some time to thicken up.
  9. Serve Soup hot with crusty French bread. Resist the urge not to eat it all in one sitting.

Makes 6-8 Servings

Holiday Shopping Alert: $50 Penzeys Gift Card $35! +Much More!

Got a cook in your life? Someone who loves to experiment with flavors? Check out these incredible deals from Penzey’s, but these deals will be over tomorrow- Shop now!!

Here’s your one chance this season to get our best of gifts for less than half the price. Currently, these are in stock everywhere. Don’t risk it, order today!

And there’s more. Free $7.95 Choose Love Mug with any purchase while supplies last. And both Justice and Revolution, a combined $9.78 value, free as well with any purchase. No codes are needed for the Gift Cards, Boxes or Mugs; those are automatic for everyone. For the very tasty Justice and Revolution, once you have any spending at all enter Vote in the apply code box at checkout. No need to place them in your basket, the code will do that for you and for free.

So Get shopping!! If you live near a Penzey’s location, most are open for touchless pickup. Give them a call and start shopping!

99 Cents Only has Deals for Thanksgiving (and a Coupon)

Y’all know I love 99 Cents Only,  and I have for years. I’ve written about my top 10 deals from 99 Cents only before here, and now I’m happy to report that you can celebrate Thanksgiving with an incredible feast frugally from our peeps at 99 Cents Only!

From stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, salads, yams, gravy (canned or pouch mix), canned veggies, cream of mushroom soup (for the green bean casserole), crispy french fried onions, and dessert options for your feast to decor for the table and the rest of the house, 99 Cents Only has you covered!

And this week, there is a coupon to help you save a bit more- Click here for 1 free item (priced up to .99) when you purchase $15 or more. Exclusions apply, the link has them all listed on the coupon.

And don’t forget that you can use cashback apps for purchases at 99 Cents Only! My two faves are Fetch Rewards and Checkout51. Learn more and find links here.

10/30/2020 Friday Freebies and Deals!

bright boxes

This Friday’s freebies and deals have some awesome goodies! It’s Halloween weekend, so get ready for all sorts of spooky freebies and deals!

As always, if you find an amazing deal or freebie, please share it in the comments below.

Freebies:

Free Boo Adventure Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treating at Target
Free Keds Stickers
Free Face Mask
Free Medela Breastfeeding Product Sample Box
Free K-Beauty Products
Free Hot or Iced Coffee at Circle K
Free Sample of Yes Life CBD Oil & Hemp CBD Pain Relief Cream
Free Products for SwagBag Tastemakers
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free 5pc. Chicken Nuggets at Jack in the Box
Free Genexa Kids Allergy Medicine
Free Sample of Daiwa Krill Oil
Free Phocus Naturally Energizing Sparkling Water
Free Sample of Smashbox Primer
Free Jar of Barilla Vero Gusto Pasta Sauce
Free Burger on Your Birthday at Ruby Tuesday

 

Deals:

 

San Diego, CA Area Residents: FREE Produce and Perishable Groceries- 10/30/2020

Every Friday in October, our friends over at Faith Chapel understand that with all that’s going on in the world that some of us still need help finding healthy food during this difficult time. And that’s it not always safe for us to go to the store or hit up a farmers market.

Distribution is happening this every Friday in October (tomorrow is the last- I will find out if there will be more and update the blog), beginning at 10:00am.

This is a drive-thru style event, so you don’t have to leave your vehicles. There is no paperwork, no questions asked. Show up, pop your trunk, and fresh food is loaded for you, and you are on your way!

Here is a picture of what was available in previous weeks! Sometimes you get produce, sometimes is eggs, milk, and other dairy products and meat- it changes weekly!

Faith Chapel is located at 9400 Campo Road Spring Valley, CA 91977