** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
Cents of Style has a sweet (and warm) deal this week! Check out these sweet cardigans & kimonos… It’s so hard to choose, but with over 20 options and at 50% off you will easily end up snagging 2 or 3! Prices are starting at UNDER $10 on multiple styles… I picked up a few for myself!
Remember to use coupon code LETITSNOW at checkout!
I’ve been making this for years. It’s easy, tasty, and there are never leftovers!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Serve with baked potatoes, salad, and a glass of milk for that wholesome 1960’s dinner. This makes approximately 6-8 servings.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Some people like to use Turkey, chicken, or pork instead of red meat. My mom uses half ground beef and half ground pork. Whatever makes you happy.
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if you are gluten-free.
Unfortunately, this cannot be made vegetarian or vegan.
I got an email this morning from Flagship Research, and they are looking for parents or grandparents with children ages newborn to 4 years old who live in the household that want to take part in an upcoming research usability study. This study is being held at an offsite location in the Carlsbad area in San Diego on Thursday, January 7th, Monday, January 11th through Friday, January 15th at various throughout the day. The study will consist in taking part in a 2-hour one-on-one interview that will compensate $150 if you qualify and participate.
If you are interested, contact Flagship at (619) 849-1111. And let them know that Abby Hewes referred you.
If you don’t live in San Diego and are interested in earning money, here are a few online survey companies I like:
I went to the grocery store over the weekend: The kids needed food to keep their tummies full over the next week of winter break, and we were out of a lot of shelf stable stuff. And salad. I am nuts about the Taylor Farms Salads (tangerine Crunch and Avocado Ranch are THE BEST). Our local Grocery Outlet and 99 Cents Only both carry various varieties for CHEAP.
I’m trying hard to stick to our budget of $100/week for groceries and prepare dinners that are filling and hearty.
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 like the kitchen inventories here. They are great printables.
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. 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. recently the Big Kid has been on a protein shake kick in the AM.
The next two weeks are Winter Break, so we’ll be eating at home a lot. Most places are still closed as cases here surge. Our tradition of zoo trips will be on hold for now. I’m planning a drive to the desert for the day, complete with a picnic lunch and some fun photos. And of course, lots of time next week to play with toys or whatever the kids get for Christmas.
I’m planning on making two batches of soup for lunches. Beef stew and probably vegetarian chili.
Usually, I do a crockpot meal on Mondays, but now that we are home all the time, we’ve been having an odd combination of fully home-cooked, scratch meals, and frozen entrees and veggies. I have been posting our meal plans on Instagram too- As well as pics of stuff we are doing to keep busy.
Please stay safe you guys! The sooner we flatten the curve, the sooner life can go back to normal- whatever that means.
Talk Back: What are you cooking for dinner this week?
Fetch Rewards is hooking us up this weekend!
Here’s a new holiday tradition: tell all your friends about Fetch. Through 12/20, you’ll get 4,000 points for each friend you refer to Fetch. They’ll get 2,000 points of their own when they sign up with your code.
Plus, there’s no limit to the Rewards you can earn:
Let’s get started! If you are new to Fetch Rewards, you can learn more here. When you sign up, use my referral code ND2TB and share the love (and referral points!).
When you sign up, leave your referral code in the comments!
Our friends over at Faith Chapel understand that with all that’s going on in the world that some of us still need help finding healthy food during this difficult time. And that’s it not always safe for us to go to the store or hit up a farmers market.
Distribution is happening Monday, December 21, 2020 at 10:00am!
This is a drive-thru style event, so you don’t have to leave your vehicles. There is no paperwork, no questions asked. Show up, pop your trunk, and fresh food is loaded for you, and you are on your way!
Here is a picture of what was available in previous weeks! Sometimes you get produce, sometimes is eggs, milk, and other dairy products and meat- it changes weekly!
Faith Chapel is located at 9400 Campo Road Spring Valley, CA 91977
Q-insights is another company that I do research groups, focus groups, and online surveys to earn extra money.
They have a lot of stuff in South Orange County, and less often San Diego County.
I received an email this morning that Q-insights is currently looking for males and females ages 20-50 who are currently own a
tablet, such as Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab.
The survey would be a 2.5 hour online Zoom focus group being held on January 11, 12, or 13, 2021.
You would be paid $200 for your participation. To see if you qualify, please fill out the questionnaire here.
For more information about Q-insights, check out the post I wrote here.
It’s Friday again! Time to score some freebies, pick up a few deals online, and stay home (or if you have to leave home, wear a mask and wash your paws).
Most of California is in lockdown again, so I’ll only be posting deals that can allow you to socially distance.
Freebies:
Free $5 Staples Gift Reward (Check Email)
Free S&W Savory Sides Beans at Select Stores
Free Box of Food for Those Affected by COVID-19
Possible Free Zozu Hemp Mask + Nose Pore Strip
Free Yellow Dog Nantucket Stickers
Free Drink at Starbucks
Free Kids Mouthwash
Free The Junior Disease Detectives Graphic Novel
Free Sample of K-Y Personal Lubricant
Free SafeTouch Pet Decal
Free Issue of Rediscover Magazine
Free Subscription to Shape Magazine
Free Bob’s Red Mill Grain Free Flatbread Mix
Free A Shoc Energy Drink at Select Stores
Free Red Spider Lily Bulbs
Free Kinderlyte Products
Free Subscription to Allure Magazine
Free OLIPOP Sparkling Tonic
Free Kids Firetruck Foldup Activity Sheet
Free Nourish Organic Lightweight Moisturizing Face Lotion
Free 8×10 Inspirational Quote Print
Free 2-Pack Hallmark Gift Bags + Free Shipping
Free El Vaquero Taco at 7-Eleven & Stripes
Free Infantino 2-in-1 Tummy Time & Seated Support
Free Sample of Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash
Free The Breakers Series: Books 1-3 by Edward Robinson eBooks
Free Games from Ubisoft
100 Free Kellogg’s Family Rewards Points
Free Cities: Skylines PC Game
Free Disney Movie Insiders Points Everyday this Month
1-Month Free of CBS All Access
Watch The Expanse Season 1-5 for Free
Epic Games – 15 Days of Free Games
Deals:
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I love Dosh- It’s a cashback app that’s a little different from the others out there (You can get the full details here).
Right now when your friends sign up for Dosh, you will earn a $20 bonus when they link their card and shop at one of the thousands of brands on Dosh. They earn cash back, you score $20, and they can share it with their friends- everyone wins!
There are in-store and online offers, so if you are staying in this holiday shopping season, you can still save!
If you are new to Dosh, I love this app because there are all kinds of restaurants and stores that aren’t available on other apps (including PetSmart, Office Depot, Home Depot, and KFC). Get started here.
For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you may remember that I posted pics of my soup extravaganza on Saturday.
I made two batches of soup: one of potato cheese soup (recipe here), and today’s recipe: broccoli cheese soup!
I’ve been told it tastes like Panera’s, but I’ve never had their broccoli cheese soup. I’ll take it as a compliment.
I added a little cooked, puréed cauliflower to the white sauce to give it a little more body. Also, it’s great for adding a little extra veggies to the soup!
Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup
Ingredients
Directions:
This recipe makes about 10-12 servings of soup. It can be frozen. And it makes a great gift!
Hewes Family Fun 