Most of us are home for the holidays, and that means that we are at home cooking.
If you are looking for some new recipes to tempt your taste buds, here are a few of our family’s favorite holiday recipes:
Most of us are home for the holidays, and that means that we are at home cooking.
If you are looking for some new recipes to tempt your taste buds, here are a few of our family’s favorite holiday recipes:

Since Friday is Christmas Day, I’m taking the day off blogging. Instead, I’m posting the weekly freebies post today. I skipped deals this week, I have a feeling most of us are shopped out.
Most of these freebies and deals are online. I am not encouraging anyone to go into stores or go out into public. Mask up, wash your paws, stay socially distanced!
Freebies:
2 Free Pints of Nightfood Ice Cream
Free Beauty Partners Nail Polish Remover
Free Sample of Breathe Right Extra Clear Nasal Strips
Free Primal Kitchen Salad Dressing
Free Organica Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Capsules Sample
100 Free Kellogg’s Family Rewards Points
Free Mouthwash
Free Shampoo, Conditioner, Treatment Mask & Dry Shampoo
Free Sample of Sol de Janeiro SOL Cheirosa ’62 Eau de Parfum
Free Flow Alkaline Spring Water at Walmart
Free Pint of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Shu Uemura Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil
Free Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce
2 Free Fussie Cat Dry Cat Food Samples
Free Carnitas or Carnitas Bravas at 7-Eleven & Stripes
Free H.E.R.L. Stickers
Free Core Bar at Walmart
Free $50 Amazon Gift Card with Nissan Test Drive
Free Hercolubus or Red Planet Book
If you have a BP or AMOCO gas station near you, check out this amazing money saving app!
Download the BPme app using the promo code OFFER to receive an introductory one-time 50₵/gallon additional discount (via email) on your next fuel up after you complete your first in-app transaction of $10 or more.
When you register for BPme Rewards you will start saving 5 cents on every gallon.
I downloaded the app this morning and I need to fill my car tomorrow or Saturday. I can’t wait to save money on gas too!
So many of us are suffering from Covid Fatigue. Our bodies and minds have been put through the wringer. Worrying about our health, jobs, finances… It takes its toll.
I’m here to tell you- We don’t know when it’s going to end, but there are resources out there to help you. Don’t be proud. Take help that is offered, when you do, it can relieve some of the burden on your mind.
I post a lot about different free and frugal opportunities to help my readers. When I talk to readers (I text and chat on FB messenger with a lot of y’all), I am frequently met with many of the same responses when I suggest that y’all take advantage of some of the opportunities I post. People feel bad about taking advantage of deals, offers, and freebies.
I recommend that even if you feel like you aren’t “that bad off”, or that you know there are other people who “have it worse”, take advantage of free food events. Many times I have gone or driven a friend to events and the people sponsoring the events are so glad that SOMEONE has shown up, and because they have X number of items to give, but far fewer people show up.
If you feel like you aren’t in “enough” need, offer to drive people in your bubble, or grab food for t friends and coordinate a porch drop off. Most of them are sponsored or paid for by government entities, grants, or subsidies that are funded by our tax dollars. These resources may not have the ability to store or drive food to people who don’t have transportation.
Helping others, even if it’s a porch drop off of produce can brighten your spirits. There are so many ways to release some of the heaviness that weighs on you. That heaviness is Covid Fatigue.
Here are a few ways I’ve tried to lessen the stress monster sitting on my chest:
Focus on what I can change. For me that’s making sure we are all clean and fed. That we get outside to play (socially distanced with masks), get fresh air, move our bodies, and get to bed at a decent time.
Work hard, but not to the point where I am burnt out. Tomorrow is another day. Laundry can wait to be put away, the carpet will still need to be vacuumed tomorrow.
Take time to contact friends. It’s hard to be without friends and family for so long. Message them on FB, text them, or pick up the phone. If you don’t have enough spoons for that, scroll through your social media of choice and like some of their statuses.
Disconnect as needed. Yeah, I know it’s the opposite of the above, but doomscrolling or constantly refreshing your social media feeds obsessively isn’t good for you. Leave your phone in the other room, or put it in do not disturb mode.
One thing I have been using to help relax at night so I can get some peaceful sleep is I downloaded the NuCalm app. NuCalm is the world’s only patented neuroscience technology clinically proven to resolve stress and improve sleep quality – without drugs. I’ve been using the Reboot for the past few nights, and it’s really helped me fall sleep and stay asleep. You can select whatever amount of time works for you, and you can even loop it if you want to enjoy the peace all night. The kids love NuCalm too.
Giveaway Time: I’d love to hear about what you do to lessen your stress and battle Covid Fatigue. Leave a comment and I’ll choose one on 12/31/2020. The winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card- But there is one condition- You have to spend it on yourself! Something that sparks joy!
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 people to take part in an upcoming online survey for car, SUV, and minivan owners.
This is an online survey that will be held at the end of January. The survey is 1 hour long and pays $100.
They are looking for owners of the following vehicles 2013 or newer:
If you have one of these vehicles and are interested, please fill out this survey screener and one of their recruiters will contact you if you qualify.
** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links
Cross Country Cafe has a cute craft and a killer giveaway!
Check out this sweet little dude you and your kiddos can make him in just a few minutes. If you are like our family, you have almost all of the supplies on hand.
And if crafting isn’t your bag, check out this great giveaway:
Win 96 Holiday Blend K-Cup® pods. It’s a winterful life, especially when you win free coffee! Enter our giveaway before 12/31/20.
Monthly Keurig K-cup coffee giveaway- each and every month Cross Country Cafe will be giving away full size boxes of Keurig K-cup coffee to one lucky winner!
** 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?