food

Free Cones at Dairy Queen 3/21/2022!

Abby H.

I could have posted this in my Friday Freebies and Deals post, but this deal needs its own post.

Looking for something to do on March 21, 2022? Head to your local Dairy Queen.

With the DQ® 2022 Free Cone Day, a free small vanilla cone is the perfect way to start spring. Come join us on March 21, 2022.

Whether your technique is the lick, the lap, the sculpt, the bite, or something uniquely your own, all it takes is a DQ® cone in your hand to bring out your special cone-eating artistry. And with DQ® Free Cone Day, you can get in on a traditional fit for families of all sizes, kids of all ages, and fans of all things DQ®. Cold, creamy, delicious, and – best of all – FREE!

Recall memories of days past, make memories for the days ahead — and it’s free at your local DQ® store. Happy Tastes Good.™

Free small vanilla cone at participating non-mall locations. All-day, limit one per person. While supplies last. May not be valid on delivery or mobile orders. Contact your local DQ® restaurant for participation.

3/18/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

We’re still in the middle of remediation and construction here. We’re entering week 4, and the past 10 days have been really hard on me.

I’m sorry I haven’t been posting as much lately, dealing with all of this has been a lot. And by the time I get everything else done, I’m too tired to write.

I’m getting y’all some top-notch freebies and deals this week- Enjoy and stay safe!

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 Nature’s Fynd Meatless Breakfast Patties Original
Free Biosteel Sports Drink at QuikTrip
Free Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Testing Ruler
Free Simplot Foods Sidewinders Fries Sample
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Mtn Dew Zero Sugar at Walgreens
Free Juice Beauty Products
Free Freestyle Diapers
Free Goody Bag at buybuy BABY Stores
Free Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Cream
Free Copy of The Quiet Gut Cookbook
Free Sample of Zignature Dog Food
75 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free Play Day Max Liquidator Water Blaster
4+ Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free Sustainable Japanese Body Lotion
Free Think Baby Massage Moisture Cream Sample
Free Dude Wipes at Walmart
Free Baby Samples & Full Sized Products from Amazon
Free Paco Rabanne Phantom Men’s Fragrance Sample
Free Bags of Pretzel Pete
Free YETI Stickers for Registering Your YETI Drinkware
Free Sustainable Japanese Body Wash
Free Beauty Products & More with Topbox Circle
Free Puredown Bedding Products
Free Fresh Cravings Salsa
Free La Roche-Posay Anthelios HA Mineral SPF 30 Moisturizer

Deals:

Unicorns 101 Hardcover ONLY $8.29 (Reg. $18)
Hamilton Beach Air Fryer Toaster Oven ONLY $45 (Reg. $99)
Learning Resources Big Feelings Pineapple ONLY $6.59 (Reg. $11)
75% Off Hush Puppies Shoes + 10% Off at Checkout
Buy 2 Get 1 Free Beauty Products on Amazon
Purina Busy Real Beefhide Dog Chews ONLY $4.61 (Reg. $10)
Easter Bunny Lawn Inflatables 66% Off + Free shipping
Kids Toy Organizer ONLY $50.34 (Reg. $164)
Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails ONLY $4.74 (Reg. $9.20)
Pioneer Woman 4-Piece Comforter Set ONLY $39 (Reg $69)
Barbie Puppy Doll Playset ONLY $9.99 (Reg $20)
Cozy Popcorn Cardigan ONLY $26.99 (Reg $50)
Women’s Bonded Fleece Jacket ONLY $7.97 (Reg $22)
Blue’s Clues Toddler 4-Piece Pajama Set ONLY $7 (Reg $15)
Paint Your Own Wooden Treasure Chest ONLY $2.97
Skorts by HEAD for $15.29 with Extra 10% Off
MGA Entertainment Dream Ella Car Cruiser ONLY $5.00 (Reg. $15)
Wilton Aluminum Square Cake Pan ONLY $3.29 (Reg. $13.59)
Dash 3.5-Quart Stand Mixer ONLY $35.99 (Reg $58)
Cookware Play Set Kitchen ONLY $89.99 (Reg $170)
Greenworks Snow Blower 80V Cordless ONLY $149 (Reg $269)
Michael Kors Puffer Coat ONLY $96.75 (Reg $350)
Remote Control Dinosaur Toys ONLY $34.09 (Reg. $90)
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $14.99 (Reg. $30)
60% Off Lucky Brand Kids + Exclusive 10% Off at Checkout
Girls 4-Piece Pajama Set ONLY $4.03 (Reg $15)
St. John’s Bay Mens Hooded Parka ONLY $43.19 (Reg $120)
85% Off Almost Famous and More + Extra 10% Off at Checkout
Just Play JoJo Siwa JoJo’s Dream Car ONLY $8.00 (Reg. $44)
Druzy Studs ONLY $6.99 (Reg $17)

Recipe: Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Abby H.

This recipe is super easy. I used the Brussels Sprouts from my CSA box.

There is no need to use expensive balsamic vinegar or honey, whatever you have on hand is fine. BUT_ Make sure your honey is 100% honey and not honey flavored syrup.

Honey Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts 

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Brussel sprouts
  • Two bell peppers
  • 2 tablespoons avocado or olive oil (your choice)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey

Directions

  1. To prepare the brussels sprouts for roasting, sliced each Brussel sprout in half and discard any loose outer leaves.
  2. Destem and deseed the bell peppers, dice or cut into long strips.
  3. Preheat oven to 450°. Place a foil-lined baking sheet into the cold oven and allow the pan to heat.
  4. In a mixing bowl combine brussels sprouts, bell peppers, salt and pepper, and oil. Toss veggies to coat in oil.
  5. Once the oven and baking sheet has come up to temperature, evenly spread veggies on the hot baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes, stir, and roast for up to an additional 10 minutes.
  6. While veggies are roasting, in a small pot combine honey and balsamic vinegar, cook on medium until the mixture reduces by half.
  7. Once veggies are cooked and removed from the oven toss in honey balsamic glaze. Serve immediately. If you desire, top with a little shaved Parmesan or pecorino.

Serves 4 to 6.

If there are any leftovers, they can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheated as you see fit.

Celebrate Pi Day (3.14) with Some Tasty Deals

Abby H.

It’s Pi Day (March 14th, or 3.14 as it’s written out). 

This made-up holiday is to celebrate the mathematical constant π (pi), which is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. 

Basically, it’s a way to get people to eat more pi(e). 

Here are a few deals to celebrate various types of pi(e) today. I’ve only included offers with locations in Southern California, you may know of other deals, please feel free to leave a comment. 

I’m pretty bummed that Marie Callendar’s Restaurant isn’t doing a deal, but you can get a whole lemon meringue pie for just $9.99. 

Round Table Pizza: This is where we are headed for dinner tonight! Buy a personal-size cheese pizza for $3.14 on Pi Day at participating locations. Join the rewards clubs to take advantage of the offer (you can download their app and join- check your favorite spot to download apps).

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Get a mini, one-topping version of the restaurant’s deep-dish pizza for $3.14. Available all day Monday, dine-in only.

7-Eleven: Members of the 7Rewards loyalty program can buy a large pizza for $3.14 on Monday at  participating stores.

Chuck E. Cheese: Chuck E. Cheese said its Spring-tastic Family Fun Pack is available through April 24 for delivery or carryout. For $34.99, get two large pizzas, Unicorn Cotton Candy, a goody bag and spring activity sheet, and 250 e-tickets for your next Chuck E. Cheese visit.

 

3/14/2022 Meal Plan Monday

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgWe are entering week three of no kitchen due to our water heater leak.

Our kitchen is in the middle of remediation, and it’s gotten to the point where we are just waiting for estimates to be approved by our insurance. It’s very frustrating.  My oven and stove are inaccessible, so I’m relying a lot on my sweet air fryer/convection oven/toaster combo (Like this one, but ours is bigger), microwave, and fridge for this week (and probably next week too).  I planned, but I’m not 100% committed to anything.  I need to go to the grocery store this morning and pick up some milk and a few other things to fill in. I’m trying really hard to have food at home that the kids can eat, so we aren’t going out to eat.

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 $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, and what’s in the fridge. All of my pantry is packed up, and I don’t have access to 90% of my kitchen. I will be taking my CSA box over to my mom’s house today or tomorrow to do some prep- roasting veggies, making salad.

  • Monday: It’s Pi day, so the kids and I are heading next door to Round Table Pizza for $3.14 personal cheese pizzas.
  • Tuesday:Nug night- crinkle fries, apple slices & strawberries
  • Wednesday: Parmaesan Crusted chicken and veggies- I prepared this late last week at my mom’s house and I’ve got it in the fridge
  • Thursday: Salad Bar Night with garlic bread and roasted veggies
  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftovers
  • Sunday: Who Knows, by Sunday I may have lost my marbles.

3/7/2022 Meal Plan Monday

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpg

Uh, so the long and the short of it is that there is no meal plan this week.

Our kitchen is in the middle of remediation, due to a water heater failure two weeks ago. You can see pics on my Instagram later today. I’m taking my CSA Box to my mom’s house later and I’ll be roasting and doing veggie prep there for the week.

My oven and stove are inaccessible, so I’m relying a lot on my sweet air fryer/convection oven/toaster combo (Like this one, but ours is bigger), microwave, and fridge for the week.  I planned, but I’m not 100% committed to anything other than eating roasted asparagus this week.

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 $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.

This week I also got a lovely bouquet of flowers (pics on IG in a bit), that I’ll be taking to my mom. We have dehumidifiers going 24/7 and I don’t want the flowers to dry out.

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, and what’s in the fridge. All of my pantry is packed up, and I don’t have access to 90% of my kitchen.

  • Monday: Nug night- crinkle fries, apple slices & strawberries
  • Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner (probably bagels with cream cheese,  fruit, and yogurt)
  • Wednesday: Pesto ravioli and roasted veggies
  • Thursday: Salad Bar Night with garlic bread
  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftovers
  • Sunday: Who Knows, by Sunday I may have lost my marbles.

March 2022- New Month, New Coupons!

Abby H.

file000786402730Here is your monthly reminder!  A new month means new printable and electronic coupons!

The printable coupon market is slowly coming to an end. Smartsource no longer offers printable coupons, and you may notice that there are fewer coupon inserts in your Sunday newspaper. This is in favor of more offers available on apps. But if you love printable coupons….

  • Coupons.com (printable coupons, e-coupons, and a cashback app)

One of my favorite websites is the Sunday Coupon Review.  It helps me plot out scenarios in advance and I can email friends to ask for coupons in advance. Remember if clipping coupons isn’t your thing, but saving money is, check out my list of Smartphone apps that can save you the big bucks! New offers are added on the Smartphone Savings Apps all the time!

Some of the food on sale throughout March includes:

  • March is National frozen food month.
  • Between March 13-17th (St. Patrick’s Day) Corned Beef, Potatoes and Cabbage are all Dirt Cheap. Stock up!
  • During Lent, seafood is inexpensive.

For a complete list of types of foods and items that will be on sale, check out this post on the cycle of sales.

Here are a few of my favorite new coupons:

Save $2.00 on any ONE (1) Ito En Matcha Green Tea bag (20ct) OR Any ONE (1) matcha LOVE Japanese Matcha + Green Tea Teabags (10ct)
Save $1.25 on any THREE (3) Del Monte® Fruit Cup® snacks, 4-pack
Save $1.25 on ONE (1) Silk® Oat Milk, 64oz
Save $0.75 on any ONE (1) Del Monte® Veggieful™ Riced Veggies, any style
Save $0.55 any ONE (1) OIKOS 5.3oz Single Serve (Core, Pro and Triple Zero)
Save $2.00 on any (1) TYLENOL® PM product, SIMPLY SLEEP® product, or ZARBEE’S® Adult Sleep item (excludes travel & trial sizes)
Save $2.00 ONE (1) PHYSICIANS FORMULA® Product
Save $3.75 on ONE (1) 3 lb or larger bag of Beyond® Dry Dog Food
Save $3.75 on ONE (1) 3 lb or larger bag of Beyond® Dry Cat Food

Free Food Resources for March 2022(San Diego County)

Abby H.

The spring is bringing many new and improved free and low-cost food options around San Diego County!

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 March 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.

3/1/2022 National Pancake Day at IHOP

Abby H.

It’s National Pancake Day! Traditionally known as Shrove Tuesday, This is the last Tuesday before Lent. More information about the holiday can be found here.

It’s time to celebrate today at your local IHOP. Today only, you get a FREE short stack of pancakes from 7am – 4pm** at your local IHOP®! In return, we encourage you to donate to children’s hospitals.  Dine-in only. One free short stack (three buttermilk pancakes) per guest.

If you can’t make it again, Get 20% Off Your First Online Order With Code IHOP20^.

**Hours may vary by restaurant. Contact your local IHOP for more information.
§For a limited time. Hours of availability and price, participation and selection may vary by location. Dine-in only, except at limited locations. Tax and gratuity excluded. Not valid with other discounts, coupons or offers.

 

2/28/2022 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpg

This week I lagged on the meal plan, and as a result, this post is a little later than usual.

I chopped, peeled, and prepped fruits and veggies this afternoon after work.  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 $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.

This week I also got a jar of Strawberry jam. I can’t wait to slather it all over popover (recipe coming up this week).

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. I didn’t do a big shop this week, just milk and popsicles.