frugal – Page 149 – Hewes Family Fun

Family Recipe: Easy Chicken Parm Meatloaf!

August 30, 2019August 29, 2019Abby H.

046 I found a cache of yummy, frugal family recipes, so I’ll be posting them over the next few weeks.

Most of these were formulated by my relatives to feed a hungry, hard-working family with kids. Everyone in my family is frugal, so these recipes won’t contain any expensive or strange ingredients in small quantities- There is nothing worse than trying a new recipe only to find you only need 2 Tablespoons of an ingredient that you’ve never used before, or worse yet, only comes in a HUGE container/package.

I will try to include the sides that we’ve traditionally served with the main dish to round out the meal.

Chicken Parm Meatloaf (serves 6)

Ingredients

1 lb ground chicken
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs (I use Italian seasoned)
1 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1/4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
3 Tablespoons onions, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh white mushrooms, stems removed, cleaned and chopped into bite-size pieces
1 t. Salt and pepper (each)
1/2 c. Your favorite red pasta sauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease a loaf pan
In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, except for pasta sauce. Mix well until all ingredients are well combined and mixture resembles a meaty paste (about 3-5 minutes of mixing)
Pour into a greased loaf pan, shape into a tidy loaf.
Pour pasta sauce over the top of the loaf.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until meat is cooked through. If you are using a meat thermometer, it should read 165 Degrees. I use this one.

I serve this dish with a green salad and Riced Caulifower with Italian Cheese.

8/30/19- Weekly Freebies and Deals!

August 30, 2019August 30, 2019Abby H.

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This week there are some good ones!

Samples

Free FOUDATION by US Clothing Item
Free Books, Journals, Stickers & More I’ve done this before- it’s Legit!
Free 4 lb Bag of Venture Dog Food
Free Vote Against Hate Sticker
Free MomSquad Reusable Bag
Free Almond Breeze Yogurt & Vita Coco Coconut Water
Free Kroger Greek Yogurt for Kroger & Affiliates

Events/In-Store

Magazines

Deals

8/27/19- Weekly Meal Plan

August 27, 2019August 27, 2019Abby H.

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Our out of town guests left this morning, so we are back to meal planning! And school starts on Wednesday for the big kid, so I’ll be doing shopping for school lunches this week with part of the grocery budget.

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, 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.

You may notice a lot of plant-based meals- We are not vegetarian, but I am trying to get more veggies into our diet. I do a lot of cooking from scratch- I find it easier to get veggies and fruit into recipes that I can have 100% control over.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day:

Breakfast: Coffee with heavy cream 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.

Lunches are leftovers, salads, or soups for me and Bitty. The big kid takes his lunch to school, but once in a while, I can convince him to buy his lunch.

For dinner, when we’ve got busy days (like Mondays), I’ll try and put something in the crockpot (I am picking up my new crockpot this week) in the morning, or pull something I’ve already prepped out that can be quickly cooked.

Monday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit salad. With so much great fruit available right now, I’ve been making a big batch of it weekly to go with most of our meals.
Tuesday: Spaghetti with veggie sauce (I took a jar of sugar-free store-bought pasta sauce and added onions, shallots, garlic, sliced sweet bell peppers, and spinach). I tossed the spaghetti in the finished sauce and topped it with freshly grated parm.
Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner-Scrambled Eggs with cheese, flaxseed waffles, fruit salad
Thursday: Smoothies and Dave’s Killer Bagels
Friday: Date Night
Saturday: Homemade Pizza Night
Sunday: Leftover night

Talk Back: What are you planning to cook this week?

Earn Amazon Gift Cards with Up Voice!

August 26, 2019August 26, 2019Abby H.

Do you spend time on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Linkedin, and Amazon? If you do, consider joining UpVoice! UpVoice is BrandTotal’s user panel. We use the data that we collect from the UpVoice panel to build special insights for brands on their advertising activities and the ad campaigns of their competitors.

How does it work?

As you visit Facebook, YouTube, Amazon, or any other of the participating sites on your desktop computer, they anonymously collect the ads that you see and give you daily tokens that can later be redeemed for Amazon Gift Cards. Once you visit one of the participating sites, it may take a few minutes for your token balance to be updated.

They are a market research firm and therefore the data we collect is only used for providing brand marketers with advertising campaign insights.

If you’re qualified to become an UpVoice panelist, you will get a link to install the UpVoice Chrome extension. The UpVoice Chrome extension can only work on a Chrome browser (or other Chromium-based browsers) on your computer (and not your mobile device).

I’ve been a member for a little over a month, and I cashed out for my first $10 Amazon Gift Card today!

To get started, click here.

8/24/19- Weekly Freebies!

August 24, 2019Abby H.

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We were busy with doctor’s appointments, so we didn’t get the awesome stash of freebies and deals up yesterday, so here ya go!!

Free Events

Free Samples

Free Magazines

Online Deals

New SavingStar Rebates!

August 22, 2019Abby H.

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SavingStar has some awesome new rebates available.

If you are new to SavingStar, it’s different from traditional couponing!

What makes SavingStar different is that you don’t receive money off at the register. The savings in held in your SavingStar account, and once you reach at least $20.00 in savings you can transfer it to your Paypal Account or donate your savings to charity!

SavingStar is the first national, fully digital, grocery eCoupon service, available for free at www.savingstar.com and on iPhone and Android mobile apps. There’s nothing to clip, nothing to print. Chose offers, shop, and save! SavingStar is currently available at over 70,000 locations!

Here are the latest offers:

Save $2.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream. Any Variety..Expires 10/16/2019.Save $2.00.

Save $0.50 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Del Monte Vegetable & Bean Blends. Any Variety..Expires 10/9/2019.Save $0.50.

Save $0.75 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) ORE-IDA Frozen Potatoes. Valid on 5 lb bags or larger..Expires 10/2/2019.Save $0.75.

Save $1.00 when you purchase ANY TWO (2) Hershey’s Milk Chocolate. Valid on 6-pack bars. Items must appear on the same receipt..Expires 9/25/2019.Save $1.00.

Save $1.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Farm Rich Grilled Cheese Sticks. Any Variety..Expires 10/22/2019.Save $1.00.

Save $1.00 when you purchase ANY TWO (2) hellowater. Any Variety. Valid At Walmart. Items must appear on the same receipt..Expires 10/16/2019.Save $1.00.(Only at Walmart)

Save $1.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) CLR® Mold & Mildew Stain Remover. Any Variety..Expires 9/18/2019.Save $1.00.

Save $0.75 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) TRISCUIT Wheatberry. Valid on 3.5 oz or larger, any variety..Expires 9/18/2019.Save $0.75.

Save $1.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) CLR® Bath & Kitchen Cleaner. Any Variety..Expires 9/18/2019.Save $1.00.

Save $1.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) CLR® Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover. Any Variety..Expires 9/18/2019.Save $1.00.

SAVE $0.75 on ANY ONE (1) DOVE® Advanced Care Deodorant (2.6-2.7 oz). (Excludes Men Care, Clinical Protection Deodorants, multipacks, trial, & travel Sz)..Expires 8/31/2019.Save $0.75.

Save $2.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Natrol Products. Any Variety. Excludes Natrol Cognium products..Expires 9/26/2019.Save $2.00.

Save $5.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Natrol Cognium. Any Variety..Expires 9/26/2019.Save $5.00.

Save $0.75 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Bob’s Red Mill Muesli Cups. Any Variety..Expires 9/18/2019.Save $0.75.

Save $4.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Boosters. Any Variety..Expires 9/18/2019.Save $4.00.

Save $3.00 when you spend $15.00 on Silk® Dairy Free Yogurt Alternative.Expires 12/31/2019.Save $3.00.

Save $5.00 when you spend $25.00 on Magnum® Ice Cream Products.Expires 11/30/2019.Save $5.00.

Save $3.50 when you spend $15.00 on SKIPPY® Peanut Butter Spreads.Expires 9/19/2019.Save $3.50.

SAVE $2.00 off ANY Caltrate® product.Expires 9/1/2019.Save $2.00.

SAVE $2.00 off ANY Advil® Sinus Congestion & Pain, Advil® Allergy & Congestion Relief, or Advil® Multi Symptom Cold & Flu.Expires 9/1/2019.Save $2.00.

SAVE $3.00 off ANY ThermaCare® product (excluding 1ct product).Expires 9/1/2019.Save $3.00.

SAVE $2.00 off ANY Nexium® 24HR product.Expires 9/1/2019.Save $2.00.

SAVE $2.00 off ANY Emergen-C® product 7ct or larger.Expires 9/1/2019.Save $2.00.

SAVE $2.00 off ANY Infant’s Advil®, Children’s Advil®, Children’s Robitussin® or Dimetapp®.Expires 9/1/2019.Save $2.00.

SAVE $2.00 off ANY Adult Robitussin®.Expires 9/1/2019.Save $2.00.

SAVE $2.00 off ANY PREPARATION H® product.Expires 9/1/2019.Save $2.00.

SAVE $2.00 off ANY Advil® product 20ct or larger.Expires 9/1/2019.Save $2.00.

Home Maintenance: Cleaning your Vacuum

August 18, 2019August 18, 2019Abby H.

I know, I know. It’s hilarious to think that you should clean an appliance that is designed to clean, but really, if you think about it, if a vacuum cleaner is clogged with dirt and hair it can’t do its job.

And that sucks (see what I did there?).

After reading the manual that came with our vacuum, I set to work.

First, I took the canister off, dumped it in the trash, removed the filter, and washed them both. I used the blue Dawn dishwashing liquid. For the canister, I used a brush like this.

Then I removed the brush housing assembly, removed the soleplate, and clipped the hair and thread off the beater bar (that’s the thing that goes round and round and has little brushes on it). Once the beater bar was clean, I washed the soleplate and brush housing assembly.

Before being cleaned, but after being de-fuzzed.

I used a smaller brush like this, and also a straw cleaning brush to get into the tiny nooks and crankies. I think for next time I’ll be ordering a set like this:

It’s got all the size brushes you’ll need to clean out vacuum cleaner’s various parts.

After everything was clean (it took about an hour, that included interruptions from the kids who needed snacks, cartoons, etc. And of course, the cat was starving and needed food RIGHT.NOW), I set them out on the patio bench on an old worn out towel that I use for cleaning.

The next day everything was bone dry and I re-assembled the vacuum cleaner and took it for a test drive. It was like using a brand new vacuum!

I clean my vacuum about once every six months. It helps keep it in good running order, which means it will last longer. Our previous Dyson lasted us 11 years, and I’d love for this one to last at least 11 years!

If you want to try it, I recommend that you check the owners manual for tips and instructions!

10 Hair-Saving Tips for Summer!

August 18, 2019Abby H.

It’s still summer here in San Diego for a few more months (does it really ever ends??), and I thought this post from Cheryl Locke at Madison Reed is perfect for those of us who may be spending more time outside, in the water, or just having fun adventures and want to keep our locks looking luxurious.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may be compensated (it’s a super small amount!) if you make a purchase after clicking through the links. You can read my Disclosure policy here.
Bright and warm days are ahead. Like our favorite season, summer hair should be effortless in theory. In actuality, you’re battling major beauty bummers like frizz, brassiness, dullness, and sunburn.

How to deal? We’ve rounded up the best defenses–some as simple as just adding water. The sun’s out and fun’s in. Here’s how to beat the heat beautifully.

Wet hair. It’s simple and effective. Before taking a dip in the pool, drench hair in fresh water. Like a sponge, your strands will soak up water, preventing chlorine and chemicals from penetrating cuticles.
Lock in moisture. Before you take a swim, work in a hair oil; it seals hair from chlorine and the drying effects of the sun. Plus, oil provides a bit of weight to prevent flyaways and frizzing.
Wear a cap. We’re confident you can pull off this look. If you take frequent dips, you’ll want to embrace a hair cap’s retro charm. The additional barrier does wonders on keeping chlorine out.
Rinse off immediately. After pool-time, prevent chemical build-up (and green hair) with a quick rinse. Brownie points if you use a clarifying shampoo followed by an extra-emollient conditioner to bring hair back to its original shine and bounce.
Deep condition. A shea-butter-rich treatment is your best anti-frizz secret. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention. It keeps hair more manageable and less tangled even in salty-windy beach conditions.
Use an SPF. Most of us dutifully slather sunblock all over our face and body, but we often forget our hair and scalp. Don’t make that newbie blunder. UV rays not only fade hair color, they also dry out hair, cause split ends, and weaken hair’s elasticity. Spritz on a liquid SPF (or DIY by combining 2 teaspoons of SPF lotion with one cup of water). For additional protection, summerize products with UV-fortified formulas. Psst: Madison Reed’s shampoo and conditioner come with UV-shielding lupine flower.
Keep hats on. A floppy brim is not just the it-accessory of the season, it offers protection against the color-fading effects of sun.
Skip the blow dryer. For natural curls and waves, just go with it. Work with, not against curls; straight styles that require flat irons and blow-drying will fry ends, deplete moisture, and end up giving you more pouf than sleekness.
Pull it back. Your best line of defense against the pouf is often a sleek bun or topknot.
Don’t touch your hair. Except for occasional flirty hair flips, excessive handling of your hair only causes frizz.

Post courtesy of Cheryl Locke for Madison Reed.

Madison Reed offers salon-quality, handcrafted hair color delivered to your door on your schedule! Clear instructions, all the extras you may need and fabulous results really set Madison Reed apart from other home hair color options! I love the conditioner– smells great and keeps my hair super soft and shiny!

What I love is that you start with a Hair Profile (kinda like a quiz) and it helps you find a color that you’ll love.

Porchlight Community Services

August 9, 2019August 8, 2019Abby H.

For those of you who have read my blog for a while, you know that food insecurity is a cause near and dear to my heart.

In San Diego County, one in seven families experience food insecurity. Food insecurity means you’re not sure where your next healthy, nutritious meal is coming from. It means you probably don’t have extra cans in your cupboard, or that you need to be more than just a little creative when it comes to cooking that a few days before payday.

Food insecurity is an issue that I feel very strongly about. No one should be hungry, and no one should have to eat mass-produced, poorly made, food devoid of nutritional just to fill their belly. Quality, nutritious food should be available to anyone and everyone at an affordable price.

That is one reason I am so excited to share with you today about an awesome organization in Linda Vista called Porchlight Community Services.

Porchlight Community Services is different from a lot of other food organizations in that they are a food rescue organization. They work with produce distributors, grocery stores, and bakery to rescue food that is otherwise destined for the dumpster.

Next time you’re at the grocery store take a look at all the fruit, all the produce, all the baked goods. The likelihood of all of those items will sell before their pull date is slim.

So when items are pulled off the shelf prior to their expiration date, they are frequently thrown in the trash. That trash heads to the landfill. Grocery store, bakeries, food distributors do not compost their unwanted food. Food rescue agencies like Porchlight Community Services pick up the food (that is still good, by the way, pull dates are usually arbitrary, and only affect the appearance of the food, not it’s quality or viability). They then take the food back to their offices where it is gone over to make sure that it is still quality, and edible. And it is been distributed to families who support Porchlight Community Services mission.

Produce that can not be distributed (it’s leftover at the end of the event), is often donated to neighbors with animals, or local animal organizations. Once again, eliminating food waste and helping others,

Some of the companies that donate to Porchlight Community Services include Ralphs, Boudin Bakery, Wal-Mart, Starry Lane Bakery, and California Produce.

Porchlight Community Services is not your average food bank or pull date co-op. There is no minimum or maximum amount of money your family needs to make to participate. Some people who shop at Porchlight do so because they believe in the mission of keeping food out of landfills (like my family- it hurts my heart to see perfectly good food go to waste). Some people go to Porchlight Community Services because they are in need of wholesome nutritious groceries that fit a specialized diet (like Gluten-free or Dairy-free) but can’t afford to shell out money every week or two for the costly groceries at a mainstream grocery store. Some people are in a tight spot and need to stretch what little money they have until payday.

Screen Shot 2019-08-08 at 11.17.26 PM.png — An example of past food items available

Distributions are usually held weekly. You can find out about upcoming events here on their website, or follow them on Facebook.

All funds that are raised go towards paying rent and utilities- to keep the Mission of feeding others going.

If you are interested in helping Porchlight Community Services, they are always looking for volunteers to help unload food as it comes in on distribution days, organize and stock shelves, refrigerators, and freezers.

They also need help volunteering with event prep- setting up tables and bins.

This might be a good opportunity for girl scout troops or other civic organizations! Contact Porchlight Community Services here to find out about more volunteer opportunities.