kids

Free Covid and Flu Vaccine Clinic TODAY (El Cajon, CA)

Abby H.

This was emailed to us last night by a school associate. If you are in the east county area and need the flu vaccine or the Covid-19 vaccine, check out this event today!

El Cajon Valley High School is located at 1035 East Madison Ave in El Cajon. They will have 300 food boxes from Feeding San Diego, prizes, and the live well mobile bus (They provide Application enrollment assistance for public benefits such as CalFresh and Medi-Cal, Immunizations, Health screenings, and information about other community resources).

This event is free and runs from 10am-2pm.

Update- I’m back!

Abby H.

Hey friends! Just a quick update- My new laptop arrived about 45 minutes ago, and I’m back and ready to share some great deals and amazing ways to save and make money.

My daughter is having surgery tomorrow, but I’ll be posting all next week with great ways to pick up some free and inexpensive stocking stuffers, ways to earn a little extra cash this upcoming holiday season and share our recent experiences with the pre-screening of Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

I’ve missed you all so much, and blogging from a cell phone is the pits, which is why I’ve been offline for the past 10 days.

AO Opinions: Upcoming Toy Study $150

Abby H.

AO Opinions is another Market Research company that I get information from. Right now they are recruiting for an upcoming research study for Parents of children ages 1-6 for a study about toys.

To be considered, please complete the pre-screener survey here.

 

Compensation: $150 (if chosen)

Date: Tuesday November 16th or Wednesday November 17th 2021 Multiple times available each day

10/31/2021 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgTHE FRIDGE IS WORKING. I repeat, the fridge is working.

I’m not holding my breath, but for now.. I’m hitting up Grocery Outlet this week for condiments (oh how I’ve missed mustard and pesto), and the meal planning is back on!

I’m looking forward to cooking meat! And having ice cream in our freezer!

Beyond that, I’m looking forward to having produce in the fridge that I can cook all week.

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.

And I’ve been getting a lot of 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. If you are looking for a kitchen inventory printable, I have made my own and you can find them for sale here on my Etsy Store.

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. The Ancient Grain bagels from Einstein Bros. are the current family favorite. I pick them up on Mondays when a dozen is only $7. I slice them and freeze them to keep them from going bad too quickly.

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, but so far, there is nothing on the menu that appeals to the kids.

Dinner: This week I’m planning a freezer and fridge restock, so we’ve got a lot of yummy stuff planned! And baking- I’m planning some tasty baked goods this week too!

  • Monday: Nuggets, fresh fruit (green grapes and bananas are on tap), cheese and crackers
  • Tuesday: Salsa chicken, rice, beans, and roasted veggies
  • Wednesday: Roasted Brussels Sprouts, popovers, meatloaf, and mashed taters
  • Thursday:  Fritatta, fresh fruit, garlic bread
  • Friday: take out
  • Saturday: leftovers (I’ll probably repurpose the leftover salsa chicken into quesadillas for me and the girl kiddo)
  • Sunday: breakfast for dinner – It’s pretty popular at my house.

Please stay safe you guys!

Celebrate Halloween with Rubio’s “Booritos”!

Abby H.

Hey friends! Are you looking for a tasty meal on Halloween before you dive into huge piles of candy?

Check out this awesome deal from Rubio’s!

It’s all about the Halloween treats at Rubio’s, when every Boorito on the menu is just $6.99 all day on October 31.

Simply bring the coupon: https://www.rubios.com/coupons/halloween-boorito to any of Rubio’s participating locations, or use code BOORITO when placing an order online at Rubios.com or on the Rubio’s App.

Guests in California, Arizona, and Nevada can get any burrito for $6.99, from responsibly sourced seafood to USDA choice steak and all-natural chicken raised without antibiotics, to vegetarian options. Favorites include the Ancho Citrus Shrimp Burrito, Wild Alaska Salmon Burrito, Burrito Especial with all-natural chicken, California Burrito with USDA choice steak, or the Bean & Cheese Burrito, just to name a few.

I’m looking forward to a veggie boorito myself. mmm.

Langostino Lobster fans won’t want to miss special fall entrees, including the Puerto Nuevo Burrito made with Langostino Lobster, the Langostino Lobster Bowl, and the Langostino Lobster two taco plate.

Rubio’s locations are open for dine-in, and guests may also order online, or through the app, for contact-free curbside or express pickup, or delivery. For more information and to view the menu, visit Rubio’s, Facebook, and Instagram.

10/26/2021 Weekly Meal Plan and Life Update

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgWe are starting week FIVE with no full-size fridge and no freezer. Still living that #coolerlife.

We are still waiting for our fridge to get fixed. They’ll be out with the parts on 10/30/2021. Never buy anything from Sears or American Freight (formerly Sears Outlet). Seriously, this has been a nightmare.

The CSA Box came yesterday and I did some light meal prep. I’ll post pics on Insta later today with info about our fun meal prep for lunches this week.

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.

And I’ve been getting a lot of 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. If you are looking for a kitchen inventory printable, I have made my own and you can find them for sale here on my Etsy Store.

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. The Ancient Grain bagels from Einstein Bros. are the current family favorite. I pick them up on Mondays when a dozen is only $7. I slice them and freeze them to keep them from going bad too quickly.

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, but so far, there is nothing on the menu that appeals to the kids.

Dinner: Until this fridge debacle is over, I won’t be doing any meal prep beyond the stuff in the CSA box. We’re trying to eat up as much of the produce as possible. We’re eating a lot of salads early week, and more hardy stuff (roasted potatoes and baked apples with grilled cheese and soup) towards the end of the week, with our usual Friday night takeout. I want a new fridge- I miss bacon!

  • Monday: fresh fruit, rotisserie chicken, bread and butter
  • Tuesday: Chicken Noodle Soup with veggies
  • Wednesday: Nuggets, fresh fruit, salad
  • Thursday: Roasted veggies tossed with pasta and pesto
  • Friday: take out
  • Saturday: leftovers
  • Sunday: breakfast for dinner (pancakes, eggs, fruit salad)

Please stay safe you guys!

Tryazon: Kids Holiday Game Night with Skillmatics!

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.

Bring learning fun into your next holiday get-together with this Tryazon Featured Party opportunity from Skillmatics! Featuring a selection of educational card games like the newly launched Found It! Indoor Edition! Already one of the best-selling Skillmatics games on Amazon, this exciting scavenger hunt helps children learn as they explore with prompts like ‘Can you find..? Something with a pattern? Something smaller than your palm?’ Shout “FOUND IT!” as soon as you get your hands on the object!

They have 100 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack with a selection of Skillmatics card games to sample and share with friends and family.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.tryazon.com/skillmatics-holiday-game-night/

10/19/2021 Weekly Meal Plan & Life Update

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgWe are starting week FOUR with no full-size fridge and no freezer. Still living that #coolerlife.

We are still waiting for our fridge to get fixed. They’ll be out with the parts on 10/30/2021. So that means 6 weeks without a fridge and freezer. Never buy anything from Sears or American Freight (formerly Sears Outlet). Seriously, this has been a nightmare.

The CSA Box came yesterday and I did some light meal prep. I’ll post pics on Insta later today with info about our fun meal prep for lunches this week.

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.

And I’ve been getting a lot of 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. If you are looking for a kitchen inventory printable, I have made my own and you can find them for sale here on my Etsy Store.

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. The Ancient Grain bagels from Einstein Bros. are the current family favorite. I pick them up on Mondays when a dozen is only $7. I slice them and freeze them to keep them from going bad too quickly.

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, but so far, there is nothing on the menu that appeals to the kids.

Dinner: Until this fridge debacle is over, I won’t be doing any meal prep beyond the stuff in the CSA box. We’re trying to eat up as much of the produce as possible. We’re eating a lot of salads early week, and more hardy stuff (roasted potatoes and baked apples with grilled cheese and soup) towards the end of the week, with our usual Friday night takeout. I want a new fridge- I miss bacon!

  • Monday: Mac n cheese, strawberries
  • Tuesday: Roasted veggies, salad (avocado ranch)
  • Wednesday: Roasted chicken, baked potatoes, veggies
  • Thursday: Chicken noodle soup, biscuits
  • Friday: take out
  • Saturday: leftovers
  • Sunday: breakfast for dinner (pancakes, eggs, fruit salad)

Please stay safe you guys!

October 2021: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

Abby H.

 If you are into Organic/Natural/Healthy products, then Social Nature is up your alley. Sign up and apply to sample products that you are interested in. I get probably 1-2 products to sample each month. And most of the time it’s full-size products, not just a tiny sample.

Social Nature has rounded up products that are available to try at a local grocery store or mass merchandiser near you.  Apply to Try the products that interest you to see if you’re a match here.

Here are some of the new sampling opportunities:

  • Wedderspoon Immunity Gummies
  • Veggiecraft Farms Veggie Pasta
  • Ocean’s Halo Seaweed Snacks
  • Partake Gluten Free Vegan Cookies
  • Notco Plant-Based Milk Alternative
  • Khadi Beauty Natural Ayurvedic Hair Oil – Rose Repair

And one of the things I love about Social Nature is that they don’t leave our friends with food allergies out.

There are sampling offers for Gluten-free, nut-free, meat-free foods frequently.

Canadian Friends- You are in luck, there are sampling opportunities for you too! So if you love trying new products, check out Social Nature!

Tryazon: Spin Master Black Friday Preview Party

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.

Try some of the most popular Spin Master brands in one mega Tryazon Featured Party opportunity! Featuring PAW Patrol, Air Hogs, Kinetic Sand, Cool Maker, and more, this will be a Black Friday Party like never before! With SIX different toys included there is a little something for everyone, making this the perfect party opportunity to jumpstart your holidays.

They have 250 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack with a variety of Spin Master toys to sample and share with friends and family, valued at $300+ in total!

Learn more and apply here.