San Diego, CA Area Residents: FREE Produce and Perishable Groceries- Today!

Abby H.

Every Friday in October, 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 this every Friday in October (today and 29th), beginning 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

San Diego, CA Area Research Study Opportunity!

Abby H.

I love doing research studies. They are a great way to help companies develop products and services, and make a little extra money for yourself.

Most in-person studies are not happening right now, but I did one this morning that was in person and they took a lot of precautions to keep the study participants healthy and safe.

TechResearchStudies is looking for people to help test tech products.

The payment is via Visa Gift Card and varies $150-$350. To get started, visit their website here.

They are looking for adults, 18+, and all genders and races are being recruited!

I do 1-2 research studies per month, most of them are at home, either testing products or online.

If you are looking to get hooked up with companies that do research studies, I recommend the following:

  • Q-Insights 
  • Digsite (I don’t know if they are actively recruiting or not- you can message them through their Facebook Page)

In San Diego there are the following research companies:

I try to post opportunities for Research Studies when I run across them, either here on the blog, or on my Facebook Page.

Baking for the Holidays with Truly Grass Fed (Tryazon Party Opportunity)

Abby H.

Truly Grass Fed is back for the holidays with a new Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, featuring their distinctively creamy and uniquely delicious cheese and butter. No matter what kind of holiday baking you plan to do, Truly Grass Fed is the perfect addition. Because Truly Grass Fed doesn’t just pair with food, it #PairsWithYou.

They have 300 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those chosen will receive a party pack with a variety of Truly Grass Fed products to showcase and sample with friends and family at an in-person or virtual party! Truly Grass Fed will be holding a competition for the best Holiday Baker too!  Learn more and apply here: https://www.tryazon.com/baking-for-the-holidays-with-truly-grass-fed-party/
If you haven’t heard of Tryazon, it’s a Word of Mouth Marketing company that partners with brands and individuals. I’ve hosted a few events with Tryazon before- it’s always a fun time!
I applied, and fingers crossed that I get this one! My family and friends love to cook and it would be a fun way to spend some time (even if we are socially distanced). Plus- Who doesn’t love cheese?

Coupons for Healthy Foods!

Abby H.

One of the most common complaints I hear from people who want to start couponing but are hesitant to is, “There are never coupons for healthy foods!” And while it appears on the surface to be correct, a few minutes of looking and I found a bunch of really great coupons for healthy food.


Save $1.00 On any Unbun product, limit one per visit
Save $1.00 on any ONE (1) package of Green Giant® Veggie Tots, Riced Veggies, Mashed Cauliflower, Roasted Veggies, Harvest Protein Bowls, or Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Save $1.00 on any ONE (1) package of Green Giant Veggie Spirals™
Save 35¢ On Any California Dairy Product That Carries The Real California Milk Seal

In addition to printed coupons, there are usually all sorts of deals or offers on cashback apps. There are several cashback apps that specifically cater to healthy living/organic products. Check out my list of Cashback apps to find my favorites.

If your budget is very tight and you find yourself unable to afford the produce that your family needs, there are free and low-cost alternatives out there for you.

If you need tips for stretching your food budget, here is a post I wrote a few years ago.

Parents of Littles: Join the Happy Parents Community!

Abby H.

Are you the parent of an infant or toddler? Check out this awesome opportunity from our friends at HappyBaby Organics!

The Happy Parents Community by Happy Baby is the place for all parents. A group to support each other, laugh together, give advice, share offers and education, and above all, work together to raise happy, healthy kids!

The community features exclusive offers, product previews, and other surprises.

And there are coupons too! Click here to print $1 off a 4-pack!

Rawr! Animal Prints on Sale at Cents of Style!

Abby H.

** This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Looking for something to spice up your fall wardrobe or looking for a quick Halloween costume? Cents of Style has a great sale this week- Animal Prints $9.96 Off Lowest Marked Price  with coupon code: ALLSPOTS

Animal PrintThis animal print collection is what dreams are made of- and with so many different items there is so much to choose from- including tops like the Chandler for ONLY $9.99 and Roux for $12.99, also sweatshirts, lounge sets, gloves, beanies, skirts, cardigans and more! There are tons of items to choose from and in sizes S-3X.

Animal Print

So whether you love animal prints or you are starting your holiday shopping early, check out this deal!

Review & Giveaway: Chalkola Chalk Markers!

Abby H.5 Comments

If your kids are anything like mine, quarantine2020 has been one long art project, punctuated by snack breaks.

The cool peeps over at Chalkola sent us a 40 pack of Chalk Markers and these are a game-changer!

The 40 pack is a mix of neon, classic, and metallic color.

Whether you’re a mom looking for holiday decorating with kids, a clean alternative to standard chalk or paint for the kids, a teacher on a quest for the most sought-after education classroom supplies, these markers are a must-have!

Not your average chalk markers! Unlike other chalk markers I’ve tried in the past, Chalkola offers high-quality water-based ink is washable and delivers smudge & dust free – saturated, clean, flowing fine lines that go on smooth and quick dry within minutes.

The best part- Chalkola Chalk markers are Kid safe and odor-free. The Xylene-free, dustless, nontoxic formula is both eco-friendly and safe for use at home, For Adults Coloring & Painting Canvas, Wedding parties, DIY crafts projects, in the classroom & kindergarten, and anywhere else that could use a vibrant touch.

Does all of that sound fun? Well, now it’s your turn to give these Chalkola Chalk Markers are try! I am giving away a 40 count box! Entering is easy- Leave a comment with your kid’s favorite color. I’ll select a winner on October 27th in the evening. The winner will be notified via email. Winner must reside in the US.

Healthy Swap Recipe: PB Chocolate Malts!

Abby H.2 Comments

This is a family favorite, and I’ve been making this shake recipe for almost 10 years.

I’m linking to most of the items on Amazon, so if you don’t want to leave home to try this recipe, you won’t have to. As a reminder: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This recipe all started back when I was doing medically supervised weight loss and we had to drink 5-9 shakes per day, so adding in low-calorie flavor options was a must. A few of the “approved” options were peanut butter powder, malt powder, and in phase 2, frozen fruit (in the case of this recipe, frozen bananas). Now that I’m no longer on the program, I still have a shake once a day, usually to curb cravings for sweets.

Feel free to use whatever type of protein powder you like. I use the HMR brand. My kids love these shakes. In fact, the big kiddo has one a few times per week for breakfast.

I use a Calphalon Active Sense Blender, but any blender or immersion/stick blender will work.

Mrs. Bear Special –  PB Chocolate Malt

serves 1 grown-up, or two kiddos

Ingredients:

  • 1 Scoop Chocolate protein powder
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter powder
  • 2 tablespoons malt powder
  • 1 frozen banana, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1-2 handfuls of ice
  • 8-12 ounces of water (If you want it creamier or are not calorie conscious, you can use fat-free or plant milk)

Directions:

  1. Place all ingredients into the blender.
  2. Blend on smoothie or ice breaker mode until smooth.
  3. Serve with a milkshake straw.

 

Depending on your protein powder, the completed shake will have 25-30 grams of protein per shake.

 

Lola Tag- Recover Your Lost Items in a Snap!

Abby H.

If you have kids, you know they lose stuff all the time. Labels are great, but in the age of stranger danger and keeping our kids safe, tagging their belongings with something safer than their names seems like a good idea.

Lola Tags are the answer to our needs.

Lola Tags don’t reveal your name or personal phone number (conserving your and your kid’s privacy). They are dishwasher and washing machine safe, and best of all, there is no app or other costs to use them.

And the best part is that they are a really good deal! 1 sheet (of 7) for $5 or 3 sheets for $10.

I’ve put them on our water bottles, backpacks, and jackets. Fingers crossed we don’t lose them, but if we do… Lola Tag has my back.

 

10/18/2020 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI’ve started doing weekly meal planning on Sundays. It’s easier to do it while I’m writing up the weekly calendar/schedule and prepping the snack box for the week.

I went to the Vons on Friday and I was able to score 4 Taylor Chopped Salads for $2.96 after Vons Club special and a special coupon ($5/$5+ purchase). This is all we needed to complete our shopping for this coming week.

Thanks to some local deals, offers, and the school lunches the kids bring home, I have been able to keep our grocery budget to $60 per week for the past MONTH! It’s amazing. The extra money is going into our holiday savings account.

If you have kids between 2-18, check with your local school to see if they are offering free lunches and/or breakfasts. You can also check the USDA Website– but it might be a little out of date.

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 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 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 (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. recently the Big Kid has been on a protein shake kick in the AM. I’ll be posting the recipe for his current favorite this coming week.

Lunches will be whatever the kids want for the time being. The big kid has lunch at school, so it’s whatever he chooses from the lunch box in the cupboard, plus some fruit and juice or milk. Since the little girl is in the morning cohort at school, she has lunch at home. Buttered noodles, yogurt, apple slices, and a popsicle are her go-to lunch.

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.

  • Sunday:  Leftovers (we’ve got a lot of salsa chicken leftover- maybe I’ll make them into Quesadillas)
  • Monday:  Entrees & Salad
  • Tuesday: Chicken Tika Masala, rice, veggies (It didn’t happen last week)
  • Wednesday:  DIY salad bar, garlic bread
  • Thursday: Soup and Quesadillas (or grilled cheese sandwiches), fruit
  • Friday:  Pizza Night!
  • Saturday: Breakfast for Dinner

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?