Give the Gift of the Farm with the Yasukochi Family Farms Black Friday Sale!

On Tuesday I posted about practical gifts for busy families. Little did I know that Yasukochi Family Farms was having a sale this weekend!

This is an amazing sale!

This sale is only good today, FRIDAY, 11/25, and ends on Sunday, 11/27! To learn more or order, check out their website.

One month of CSA Boxes your choice of regular box or Jumbo box. and 1 bottle of olive oil. I love this olive oil, it’s the best I’ve tried.

I get a Regular sized box each week, and it’s good for a family of 4 or smaller. A Jumbo-sized Box is perfect for larger families or for families that are vegetarians or vegans.

 

2022- Summer Fun on a Budget

681517ea18b6760354438c6a7f6190f1.jpgIt’s time for kids to finish up school, and be let loose on the world. But, instead of hours of screen time and endless whining, let’s fill the summer with some fun stuff!

If you are looking to beat the heat and need something free, check out the Waterfront Park downtown. They have a great splash pad area for kids, a really fun playground, and a big grassy area for picnics. Only downside- no shade trees.

 

Info on Free Summer lunches is rolling in very slowly. A lot of the sources for information (211 and the USDA) sites have not been updated with summer information. I’ll keep updating this post as new info is available on more sites throughout the county.

In-Person Dream Dinners Workshop: 2/22/22 in La Mesa, CA!

I know y’all have been waiting for this in-person event, I know I have!

You’re invited to my Meal Prep Workshop at Dream Dinners! Learn my secret to making easy, homemade meals, taste delicious appetizers and spend some time with friends. You’ll receive three delicious, medium-size meals to enjoy at home with your family for just $50.00.

Plus, you get to create our exclusive Scone Trio. Only available at the Meal Prep Workshops, these delicious scones are a fun baking activity the whole family can help with.

  • Tuesday, February 22, 2022 – 6:00 PM
  • Dream Dinners La Mesa: 5208 Jackson Drive Suite 116 La Mesa, CA
  • RSVP Here, Invite Code is yummy1

There are limited spaces available, and this offer is only available for guests of this event. Reserve your spot today by choosing three dinners from the menu here and completing your order!

If you are coming, please let me know!

October 2021: New Month, New Coupons!

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!

October is here- that means it’s spooky season! Time for deals and sales on candy, costumes, holiday home decor, and craft supplies.

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 $1.00 when you buy TWO BOXES any flavor General Mills cereal listed: Cheerios™ • Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ • Lucky Charms™ • ***
Save $0.75 When you buy FOUR (4) Avocados From Mexico
Save $1.00 on any ONE (1) Dove Deodorant or Antiperspirant Stick (excludes trial/travel, twin packs, and Dove base products)

10/1/2021 Friday Freebies and Deals!

I started my new job this week, and it’s going great! You may have noticed less action on the blog this week, but I’ve got an awesome giveaway and recipe post here.

If you are looking for birthday freebies, fret not! I put together a list new for 2021- Check it out here.

Freebies:

Free Magnetic Eyelashe Kit, Mascara, Tweezer & Mirror
Free Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches
Free Mossy Oak Cheese Straws
Free Hennessy Fight Night Viewing Party
Free Subscription to Martha Stewart Living Magazine!
Free Sample of La Roche-Posay SPF 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk
Free Gatorade Zero with Protein at Walmart
Free Game Play for Kids in Costume at Chuck E Cheese
Free CHI-CHI’S Tortillas
Free Haven’s Kitchen Fresh Sauce
Free Dolce & Gabbana K Fragrance Samples
Free Key at a MinuteKEY Kiosk
Free Tablet
Free Degree Dry Spray Antiperspirant
Free Chicken & Cupcakes with Over 50% Off Sam’s Club Membership
Free Canon IVY CLIQ+2 Holiday Moments Party
Free Schar Gluten-Free Crackers
Free Cacti Agave Spiked Seltzer Chatterbox
Free Veggiecraft Farms Veggie Pasta
Free Funky Bath Life Product Sample
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Michelob ULTRA Organic Seltzer Chatterbox Kit
Free Box of APT Toys
Free Sample of StriVectin Advanced Retinol Moisturizer
Free Simple Mills Veggie Pita Crackers
Free Earth Month Sticker Series
Free 2-Year Subscription to Women’s Health Magazine
Free Sample of Blue Waters Collagen
Free Sun-Maid Recipe Booklets
Free Sample of Glossier Cloud Blush Paint

Deals:

Keurig K Latte Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffeemaker ONLY $59.99
Halloween Inflatable on Sale for Only $14.97
Tommy Hilfiger Grid Plush Throw ONLY $10.93 (Reg $35)
MUK LUKS Carey Boots ONLY $39.99 (Reg. $65)
Womens Deer Riding Boots ONLY $27 (Reg $80)
Philips Bluetooth Party Speaker ONLY $79 (Reg $180)
3-Tier Beverage Dispenser ONLY $26.39 (Reg $48)
KKW Kardashian Lipstick on Sale for $4.50 (reg $18)
Buy 1 Get 2 FREE Graphic Tees at Aeropostale + FREE Shipping
Today Only: Free Shipping Offer on Zulily
10k Yellow Gold Earrings ONLY $13.99 (Reg $199)
Polly Pocket Un-Box-It Playset ONLY $11.99 (Reg $20)
Kate Spade Darcy Small Satchel ONLY $115 (Reg $359)
Pen + Gear 5-In Kids’ Scissors ONLY $0.24 (Reg $4)

 

San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum: Sensory Friendly Mornings Are Back!

For those of us with Neurodivergent kiddos, this is a great way to spend some time!

Sensory Friendly Mornings are an early morning geared towards families with children on the spectrum or with sensory needs. This event is a welcoming, comfortable environment for your child and family to enjoy the Museum in a quiet and accepting setting.

  • All Museum exhibits, lights, and music are turned off
  • Noise-canceling headphones available for checkout at the Front Desk
  • Sensory-friendly toys, manipulatives, and weighted blanket available
  • Face coverings are required for all guests over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status in the indoor Exhibit Hall. However, individual accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis for children with sensory needs.

These events take place on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at The San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum.

Upcoming dates:

  • October 3, 2021
  • October 17, 2021
  • November 7, 2021
  • November 21, 2021
  • December 5, 2021
  • December 19, 2021

Regular admission fees apply. Free admission is offered for your family’s paid staff, personal assistant or one-on-one aide. The Museum also offers a Discounted Membership for families with children who have special needs.

Dream Dinners: Now Booking In-Store Events!

This is some pretty cool news! Dream Dinners is launching its new Meal Prep Workshop program in August!
This is an exciting new twist on their in-store party and it’s a great opportunity for you to introduce your friends to Dream Dinners and earn fun rewards!
Here’s how it works:
As the host, you attend the workshop for free! This includes three pre-prepped medium-size meals, our grill marinade trio, and a private, in-store event with your friends. You also have the opportunity to earn up to $75 in host rewards! You can bring wine, Dream Dinners will make appetizers and you can enjoy your evening!

Your friends pay $50 to attend and learn about Dream Dinners. They’ll each receive three pre-prepped medium-size meals (Each meal feeds 2-3 people) and assemble a seasonal grill marinade trio, plus they’ll enjoy delicious samples of our food. We also have some exciting perks for them if they place an order at the workshop!

That’s $50 for three meals and 3 marinades!
One of the best parts of the new Meal Prep Workshops is that you and your friends get to share an experience with our exclusive seasonal workshop! Our theme for August Workshops is Summer Grilling and we’ll be making a grill marinade trio that Chef Laura created just for these events.

This is a great chance for you to get out of the house and have a fun night out with friends!
Space is limited, so if you are interested, contact your local Dream Dinners for more information and to book your Meal Prep Workshop.

Here in East County, it’s the La Mesa location.  Call or Text (619) 460-6800 or email: lamesaca@dreamdinners.com

If you are located in East County and want to join a Meal Prep Workshop, I’ll be planning one in the coming weeks. Drop me a comment or PM via Facebook or Instagram and I’ll get you an invite once I get the event set up.

2021 Summer Reading Programs for Kids

Thankfully, libraries have planned summer reading programs for summer 2021! I’ve been working on this post for a while, asking around, making calls, and googling like mad. I’ll update this post as more programs are announced. Right now I am waiting to hear back from the San Diego County Library for information on their summer program.

I know my kids love summer reading programs. In addition to reading, they win some great prizes.

San Diego City Libraries are having a similar summer reading program as they have in years past. Information including sign-up and prizes available can be found here.

Pizza Hut’s Book It program is available for summer, where your kids can earn free delicious pizza hut pizza just for reading. Information about the program can be found here.

Don’t forget to check out the Free little libraries in your neighborhood. They are a great way to share your unwanted books with neighbors, and discover new books for free!

If you want your family to experience a multi-cultural world through reading, I  recommend PJ Library.  PJ Library sends free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children from birth through 12 years old.

My kids love learning about faraway places and experiences different from their own. The PJ library books have opened their eyes to new holidays, customs, and ways of life.

Read Conmigo provides free books for kids by mail in Spanish and English to children ages preschool to fifth grade. They are only available to kids in CA, TX, and Florida. We used to receive the books, and they are ok, but my kids aren’t interested in learning Spanish.

Dolly Parton has established the Imagination library, it is available in select regions (sadly not available in San Diego California), and those who live in areas that are participating can receive one book for their kids every month via mail.

Barnes and Noble has a summer reading program starting July 1st. More info here.

If you know of any other programs, please leave a comment! I’m trying to keep my kids out of crowded areas and spaces this summer, as neither of them can be vaccinated against Covid-19 at the present time. In California, masks will no longer be mandatory in public spaces starting June 15, 2021.

 

It’s Field Agent Frenzy Time!

Y’all know I love Field Agent, it’s a great hustle to earn extra money while you are out and about doing errands.

Right now, it’s time for the Field Agent Frenzy! Oh yeah, that means for every paid job you complete between May 28 and May 31 is a chance to win an extra $100!

 

What is Field Agent Frenzy? It’s a fun little thing Field Agent does to encourage you to get in the Field Agent App and make some cash.

It works like this– for every paying job you successfully complete between May 28-31, you’re entered into a drawing for a bonus of $100. That’s right– a bonus for work you’re probably already doing.

 

My Referral Code is abxbnqx. If you haven’t signed up yet, please do! I did 5 audits this week in less than 30 minutes and made $45!

If you are new to Field Agent, check out my post all about it here.

5 Reasons To Try Reusable Menstruation Products 

There are many types of reusable menstruation products on the market these days. Cups, discs, cloth pads, “period panties”.  Here are five reasons to give them a try!

1-While they may have a higher out-of-pocket, over time they cost less than disposable/one-use menstruation supplies. My Diva cup cost $35, but I’ve used it consistently for a year. On average, those who menstruate spend $159 or more per year on menstruation supplies, which equates to $6360 over the reproductive lifetime.

2- Reusable menstruation products are better for the environment. Some disposable menstruation products can’t be recycled, and often aren’t environmentally friendly. The plastics take a long time to biodegrade. Reusable pads can be rinsed out after use and then tossed into the washer and dryer.

3- Some reusable menstruation products can be used/left in for a longer amount of time than disposable. For example, I can wear my diva cup for up to 12 hours (discs have about the same time), but tampons need to be changed every 4 to 6 hours.

4-  Many companies of reusable menstruation products help those in need, or donate a portion of their profits to those who would not otherwise be able to afford menstruation products, People in underserved communities, schools, and homeless shelters.

5- It’s always good to try something new. People have been menstruating since the dawn of time, and until the past five or six years ago, there weren’t too many different ways to “deal” with the flow. Now those who have periods have choices. Try a new product, try a new brand, you might be surprised, you might find something new that you fall in love with. If you told me 10 years ago I would use a cup, I would laugh in your face. But, it has really helped with my cramps.

If you are interested in checking out some of the reusable menstrual products that I talked about, here is link to my Amazon list with tons of products.