food

Inflation Sucks: Stretching your Grocery Budget

Abby H.

Inflation is taking its toll across the board. Wherever you look, prices are going up, up, up.

It’s horrible because Cost of Living increases are not keeping up, so we are working as hard as ever, and our money is buying less.

Depressing to say the least. Here are some ways to stretch your money further and keep your family fed. And this is all practical stuff, I’m not going to tell you to grow a garden or dumpster dive. If you want to do those things, by all means, go ahead.

  • Take advantage of local food distributions. I post information about them each month for locations in San Diego County. Here is the list for February 2022.
  • Inventory your Pantry, Fridge, and Freezer. Knowing what you already have is a good first step. Here is a link to my Inventory Sheets on Canva.
  • Go Meatless 1-3 times a week. Meat is getting crazy expensive, and there are so many tasty, meatless meals out there. I’ll be doing a meatless recipe round-up later this week.
  • When cooking meat, add additional protein to your meals by incorporating lentils or beans into your recipes. I love adding in a can of drained/rinsed kidney or black beans when I make ground beef tacos. I use 1 15-ish ounce can per 1/2 lb of ground meat.
  • If beans and lentils aren’t your jam, bulk up meals with rice, noodles (I love the protein noodles), or a grain like quinoa (which is also high in protein).
  • Bulk up meals with fruits and veggies. Canned, frozen, or fresh- whichever is in your budget. Stores like 99 cents only and Grocery Outlet have great deals on fresh and frozen produce.
  • If you have kids in school, take advantage of free breakfasts and lunches. In California, there will be free lunches for school-aged children permanently. Other states have similar programs.

 

Rubio’s Launches Three New Dishes!

Abby H.

Are you Hungry? You will be after reading this post!

Calling all seafood lovers. On Wednesday, February 23, Rubio’s Coastal Grill locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona will introduce new dishes featuring Wild-Caught Red Argentinian Shrimp with 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.

“The rich, fresh, sweet-tasting Wild-Caught Red Argentinian Shrimp never fails to delight guests, and we’re thrilled it’s back on the menu,” said Rubio’s Co-Founder, Ralph Rubio. “Our Red Argentinian shrimp are sourced from the icy, pristine waters off the far southeastern tip of Argentina. They are wild-caught, never farmed, continuing our commitment to serving responsibly sourced seafood wherever possible.”

 While available, Rubio’s guests can enjoy wild-caught Red Argentinian shrimp paired with a specially created chipotle honey sauce. The culinary team has created three incredibly flavorful menu options, available for a limited time, including:

Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp Bowl

Wild-caught, grilled Red Argentinian Shrimp, crisp romaine, citrus rice, and black beans topped with handmade guacamole, cilantro/onion mix, creamy chipotle sauce, a new chipotle honey sauce, pickled red onions, and a slice of fresh lime.

 Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp Burrito

Wild-caught, grilled Red Argentinian Shrimp, citrus rice, black beans, handmade guacamole, cilantro/onion mix, creamy chipotle sauce, a signature chipotle honey sauce, and pickled red onions all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. Served with tortilla chips.

 Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp Two Taco Plate

Wild-caught, grilled Red Argentinian Shrimp on top of melted three cheese blend, crisp romaine, and cilantro/onion mix. Topped with creamy chipotle white sauce, a new chipotle honey sauce, and pickled red onions. Served on warm flour tortillas with black beans, tortilla chips, and a slice of fresh lime.

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.

2/21/2022 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

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The kids and I have the day off school/work today! The kids stayed at home and played, and I ran a bunch of errands, effectively taking care of 99% of my care tasks for the week. I will not be adding any additional tasks.

I did zero meal prep over the weekend, as we had out-of-town guests, and I went out with friends on Saturday, and I stayed out waaay too late.

I’m picking up an order of Dream Dinners this afternoon, and our CSA box will be delivered this afternoon.

Our veggies and fruit are delivered by Yasukochi Family Farms CSA. For $25, 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 $25. 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.

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.

Dinner: I’m leaning heavily on the CSA box this week, Dream Dinners, and what we’ve got in the house. It’s supposed to be cool and rainy/overcast for much of the week, so I’m thinking of Soup and grilled cheese at least once!

  • Monday: Nug night- crinkle fries, apple slices & strawberries
  • Tuesday: Soup and Grilled Cheese (I have a couple batches in my freezer)
  • Wednesday: Spinach and Artichoke Ravioli Bake
  • Thursday: Breakfast for Dinner (probably waffles and fruit)
  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftovers
  • Sunday: Pulled Pork Banh Mi Sliders

 

3 Months Free with Panera Unlimited Sip Club!

Abby H.

It’s baaaack! 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 3 months free. After that, it’s just $8.99/month (plus tax).

Any Size, Any Flavor-Includes unlimited hot coffee, iced coffee, and hot tea.

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!

Fine Print:
*For new subscribers that sign up for an Unlimited Sip Club Subscription (formerly known as the MyPanera+ Coffee Subscription) (“Coffee Subscription”), from 2/14/2022 through 3/29/2022, will receive three (3) free months of Coffee Subscription. The Coffee Subscription is available in participating U.S. Panera Bread bakery-cafes. Must be a MyPanera member and at least 18 years of age or older to register. Registration is available online only including the Kiosk. You may cancel at any time. If you do not cancel either before your renewal date or after the expiration of any free trial or discounted offer, your credit card will automatically be charged $8.99 plus tax for the monthly subscription and will be charged on a recurring monthly basis every thirty (30) days thereafter until you cancel your subscription. To cancel your subscription online, visit the Cancellation section at http://www.panerabread.com/UnlimitedSipClub or on the Panera Bread app. The Coffee Subscription is limited to hot coffee, hot tea, and iced coffee once every two hours plus unlimited refills. Excludes all other beverages, including without limitation, cold brew iced coffee and espresso, and cappuccino beverages. Customizations including but not limited to added Espresso and added Syrups (Vanilla and Caramel) are not included in the Coffee Subscription monthly price. Upcharges apply. Other additions such as Milk, Skim Milk, Almond Milk, Half & Half, Sweeteners are included in the monthly subscription price. The Coffee Subscription program registration and redemption are available at participating U.S. bakery-cafes only. The Coffee Subscription is not available in: Atlanta and Macon, GA; Raleigh and Charlotte, NC; Memphis, TN; Mississippi; and Wisconsin Panera Bread bakery-cafes. Excludes orders placed on third-party delivery sites and catering orders. One subscription per person. Visit here for complete Terms and Conditions. No cash back unless required by law. Not valid with any other coupon or offer. Offer may expire without notice due to error, fraud or other unforeseen circumstances. Cannot be combined with other promotions.

Baketivity: Baking fun with kids!

Abby H.

Have you heard of Baketivity? I heard about it recently, and I’m really excited to try it with the kiddos. They both love making treats in the kitchen.

  • IT’S MORE THAN JUST A BAKING KIT: Baketivity Is A Wonderful Way To Bond With Children And Build Skills In An Informal Way; It Is Easy, Fun, And Mess-Free With The Most Delicious Results!
  • WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: Create Everlasting Memories With Fresh, Certified Kosher Ingredients That Are Manufactured In An FDA Approved Facility In The USA
  • EASY BAKING: Mix and stir in a snap with pre-measured ingredients and simple, kid-friendly instructions.
  • RECIPES BOOK: Step-by-step instructions with colorful, kid-friendly illustrations to make sure every bite comes out perfectly.
  • ENJOYABLE LEARNING: Explore exciting, colorful lessons and play educational games while your treats bake.
  • SHOPPING LIST: Detailed shopping list for the wet ingredients and baking tools you will need in each kit.
  • FREE HAT AND APRON: One size fits all Baketivity kids apron with a chef hat; it will be the best addition for your little baker!


Enjoy sweet savings today! – Use code FAMILYGUIDE to get 18% on any subscription plans today at https://baketivity.com. IT’S MORE THAN JUST A BAKING KIT: Baketivity Is A Wonderful Way To Bond With Children And Build Skills In An Informal Way; It Is Easy, Fun, And Mess-Free With The Most Delicious Results!

I can’t wait to try it out with my two chefs!

Flash Sale! Exclusive February Dinner Bundle!

Abby H.

It’s back! This month, Dream Dinners get eight top-rated medium meals from our February menu for just $185. This is a great way to check grocery shopping and meal prep off your to-do list, so you have more time to do the things you love.

We’ve had a lot of these dishes before, and there are a couple that I’ve never had before ( I’m super excited about Bacon Popper Chicken).

If you can’t make my in-person event (details here), this is an excellent way to try Dream Dinners.

Order before 9am Friday (2/18/2022) by emailing or calling the La Mesa location:

Store Email: lamesaca@dreamdinners.com
Store Phone Number: 619-460-6800

Fetch Rewards: 5,000 Point Reward for shopping at Family Dollar!

Abby H.

There are four Family Dollar stores in San Diego, but none are super close to us, so I’ve never shopped there. And some of my favorite Deal Tik Tokers shop there, so I’ve been the deals, and man… they are good.

Here is another deal for Family Dollar.

Spend at least $20 on your favorite Unilever brands at Family Dollar and earn 5,000 points! Get big rewards on things you already buy from brands like Dove, Hellmann’s®, and Suave®.

Don’t forget to download the Family Dollar Tree app too. There are coupons and in-app deals that will help you save even more!

If you haven’t signed up for Fetch Rewards yet, or want to learn more, check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it and scan any receipt, use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score 2,000 bonus points. I earned $295 in rewards in 2021 alone, just by purchasing my regular groceries and scanning in all of my receipts (grocery, mass merchandiser, gas receipts, restaurants, you name it).

It is simple, takes minutes, and the points really rack up!

2/14/12022 Weekly Meal Plan!

Abby H.

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The kids and I have the day off school/work, so we’re spending v-day together! I’m thinking about heart-shaped pizza for lunch!

I did a little bit of meal prep Saturday night and Sunday morning. I also updated the fridge, freezer, and pantry inventories. I didn’t watch “The Big Game”, I had other stuff to do.

We are skipping our CSA box this week- I still have a lot from last week, and that’s after sharing it with my mom and a family friend!

Most other weeks, veggies and fruit are delivered by Yasukochi Family Farms CSA. For $25, 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 $25. 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.

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.

Dinner: We’ve got a few Dream Dinner left, and I’ll be making those along with some other stuff in the freezer (looking at you lasagna). We’ve got out-of-town guests this week, so I planned dinners that are appropriate for company, filling and budget-friendly.

  • Monday: Nug night- crinkle fries, apple slices & strawberries
  • Tuesday: Chicken with Peanut Sauce (It’s a Dream Dinner, but I’m using rice instead of the Penne that comes with it), Rice, Salad
  • Wednesday: Waffles, eggs, bacon, fruit
  • Thursday:  Kentucky Pork Chops, taters, roasted Veg (We didn’t end up having this last week- I forgot to take it out of the freezer!)
  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftovers
  • Sunday: Lasagna, Garlic Bread, roasted veggies or salad

I’ll be hosting two Dream Dinners events, one virtual, and one in person at the La Mesa store later this month- It’s a great way for those of you who want to check it out for yourselves!

It’s Girl Scout Cookie Season… 3 Recipe Ideas!

Abby H.

And that means cute little faces outside local stores, coming door to door, or like my kid, asking you politely on her mom’s blog to buy please buy Girl Scout Cookies from her personalized GS Cookie website here.

There is a really tasty new variety this year, adventurefuls, but like so many things in life right now, they are out of stock due to supply issues. You may be able to find them from a girl in your area.

Once you’ve got your hands on the cookies, there has to be more than eating them as is, right?

Yup, here are a few ideas that were brainstormed recently by some of us GS Cookie fanatics.

Thin Mint Brownies: Mix up your favorite brownie batter (either from a mix or scratch, your choice), and crumble 12-15 cookies (about 1/2 -3/4 of a sleeve). Mix into the batter, and bake per directions. Crunchy, minty bits in each bite.

Lemon Ups Cheesecake parfaits: I made these last week and they are BOMB.

For the no-bake cheesecake filling: Cream 1 8 oz. brick Cream Cheese, fold in 1 tub of Cool Whip, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

In a parfait dish (like this one), layer, Lemon Ups cookies (I cut each one into 4 pieces and scattered them across the bottom), then the cheesecake mixture, then a layer of sliced strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries (any combination), and repeat until the dish is full. Top with any remaining berries.

Refrigerate 4-6 hours, allowing time to set up (I made mine the day before I needed to serve it to give it enough time to set up).

If you have a hankering to use your Samoas, You can substitute those in for the lemon cookies and use strawberries or raspberries only (blueberries just don’t mesh well with Samoas).

We’re making Samoas Cheescake cups next week. Using the same no-bake cheesecake filling recipe above, line the wells of a cupcake pan with aluminum cupcake liners (like these). At the bottom of each, place a Samoas cookie. Fill the remaining space in the cup with the cheesecake filling. Top with half a Samoas.

Drizzle the top with caramel syrup and store in the fridge 4-6 hours before serving.

2/11/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

It’s Friday friends- This weekend is busy, as always, but let’s start off with some freebies and deals!

I’m going to try and include links to free local events as well. Please remember to follow all local public health guidelines. In California, that means wearing masks inside businesses and public spaces.

2022 Birthday Freebies are here!

Freebies:

Free Acne Dark Spot Treatment Pads + $75 eGift Card
Free Duracell Batteries at Office Depot & Office Max
35 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free Magellan Sticker Sheet
Free Lasio Keratin Pro Kit
Free Hometown Hero Delta 8 Gummies
Free Copy of Amazing Me It’s Busy Being 3! Book
Free Hometown Hero Select Spectrum Delta 9 Gummies
Free Conair Hair Dryer, Hot Rollers or Epilator
Free 16 oz. Smoothie or Juice at Nekter Juice
Free Annapolis Pride Car Magnet
10 Free Custom 3D Flamcard Photo Card at Walgreens
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Atoria’s Family Bakery Flatbread Product Coupon
Free Hi-Chew Gummies Candy
Free Hartz Delectables Squeeze Up & Delectables Lickable Treats
Free Origins Ginzing Oil Free Energy Boosting Moisturizer Sample
Free 2022 Sand Scripts’ Magnetic Calendar
Free Dude Wipes at Walmart
Free Pizza, Chips, Cookies & More
Free Amala Beauty Skincare Product Sample
Free Bibigo GOTCHU Korean Hot Sauce Samples
Free Truly Grass Fed Natural Creamy Butter
Free I Read Banned Books Sticker & Bookmark
2 Free Hartz UltraGuard PROMAX Flea & Tick Cat Collars
Free Valentine’s Photo Box Craft from Home Depot
Free Disney, Barbie, Peppa Pig or Spiderman Toy
Free Macy’s Fragrances

Deals:

Martha Stewart 3-Pc Mixing Bowl & Utensils Set ONLY $13.93
Martha Stewart Love 3-Pc Container Set ONLY $17.93 (Reg $50)
PlayMonster Yeti in My Spaghetti ONLY $8.99 (Reg. $18)
70% Off Everything for Home at Wayfair + 10% Off Coupon
Sterling Silver Heart Pendant Necklace ONLY $22.98 (Reg $125)
25-Pound Pet Food Container ONLY $12.99 (Reg $29)
Kate Spade Lady Marmalade Bundle ONLY $45 (Reg $128)
MUK LUKS Women’s Boardwalk Stroll Sneaker $19.99 (Reg. $55)
The Berenstain Bears and the Real Easter Eggs $2.39 (Reg. $5)
Meal Prep Containers 20-Pack ONLY $12.99 (Reg $30)
50% Off Champion + Extra 10% Off at Checkout
Free VDay Robe Bundle from Super Chewer with Your First Box
Revlon Crystal C + Ceramic Curling Iron ONLY $12.59 (Reg. $25) 
Free Queso Blanco at Chipotle
Lace Up Sandals ONLY $14.99 (Reg $40)
Gemstone Bar Necklaces ONLY $5.99 (Reg $25)
Sushi Go Card Game ONLY $6.29 (Reg. $15)