10/17/2022 Weekly Meal Plan

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Sometimes I have to remember to give myself some grace. Last week was full of stuff, and we didn’t end up sticking to the meal plan, however, I did some batch cooking Friday. I made a huge batch of red sauce/gravy, and a huge meatloaf.

Most of the sauce went into the freezer for future meals. We had some of it for dinner on Sunday.

The meatloaf was had for dinner Saturday, with leftovers being used for meatloaf sandwiches for lunch this week. I individually portioned and froze servings of leftovers for weekday lunches.

I grocery shopped Saturday morning and meal prepped on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. We’ve got a lot of fresh fruits and veggies this week.

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the 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.

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. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

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. The big kid brings his lunch from home daily, and the littlest buys her lunch at school about half the time. In California, all public schools provide breakfast and lunch for free.

Dinner: This week is packed as far as appointments, so I’m leaning on stuff that’s easy and tasty. I prepped fruits and veg over the weekend and made up the last Dream Dinner and portioned it into lunch-sized servings.

  • Monday: The Best Salad Ever, garlic bread, butter noodles (Bitty Bird’s request)

  • Tuesday: Moosie’s Pot Roast, Roasted Veggies

  • Wednesday: Nuggets, fruit, crackers, and cheese

  • Thursday: Breakfast for dinner (I’m hoping for omelets and sourdough toast)

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:   Soup and sammiches, and fruit
  • Sunday:  Leftovers

Cleaning your Closets: 5 Items That Have To Go!

I’m bringing this up because it’s time to pull out some of my fall/winter clothes and donate some of my older clothes, or clothes that I don’t wear as often.

Here are my Five categories for giving clothes the boot:

Stains: You know that one shirt in your closet that you love, but it has a stain that won’t come out. It’s time for it to go.  Clothing can be donated to be recycled. To find your closest clothing recycling location, click here.

It doesn’t fit: Too small, big, long, or short- it has to go. Time to throw those in the donation pile.  This goes for shoes too!

Needs repair and you lack the time or skills to mend/fix. The pants hanging in your closet are so cute but they are 1/4 inch too short and you can’t sew? One Caveat- Undergarments that are holely or stretched out go directly to the trash. No one is darning mass-produced socks. I mend and repair my clothes as needed weekly. If you are looking to learn about mending clothes, check out my post here. 

Out Of Style: Low-rise jeans? Powder Blue Tuxedo? Your Prom Dress from 1997? Time to throw those in the donation pile.

Cheap Crap:  This encapsulates several categories- Knock off’s (They are mass-produced in horrible conditions), poorly produced “fast fashion” that offers no quality and doesn’t add anything of substance to your wardrobe, and anything you bought and wore once, and it was damaged or you swore you’d never wear again. In my opinion, cheap shoes are the worst and are usually tossed into this pile.

Once you have your donate pile, if you are looking to donate straight away, check for your local non-profits needs. I also like donating my unwanted good clothes to local clothing swaps. For more info about clothing swaps, click here. 

Atkins Coupons!

I know a few people who follow the Atkins Diet, and while I don’t, I really like the Atkins treats. Perfect for times when I want a little sweet snack or treat, but don’t want lots of sugar!

Choose Get Atkins Coupons for Free!   Submit your email address to print coupons for discounts on Atkins products.

Save on your next purchase of Atkins snacks, nutrition bars, shakes, and meals, as well as get access to our online community!

  • Save $2.00 on any ONE (1) Atkins®Bar, Shake, or Treat Multi-pack.
  • Save $1 on any ONE (1) Atkins Frozen Entrée

 

Grossmont Healthcare District Open House!

This was in my email this morning, and in the past, the Grossmont Healthcare District has had some really fun events, including an open house last year where I won a set of pots and pans!

The open house is on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 10 AM – 1 PM. At 10:30 AM, a brief program in the auditorium will feature highlights of the hospital, library, and district history. Then stay for:

  • Enjoy free food and beverages
  • Live music from Paul Nichols, Intentional Healing Music
  • A community painting project with Linda Bounds, new stARTs therapeutic arts program
  • A walking art tour with Carol Lockwood, La Mesa Historical Society
  • Crafts in the Library
  • A drumming fitness class
  • A scavenger hunt and more

 

The Library address is 9001 WAKARUSA ST. LA MESA, CA 91942. More info and RSVP information can be found here.

Q-insights Shopping Study- It pays $225

QI-logoNOslogan.pngQ-insights is another company where 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. This upcoming survey takes place virtually!

Q-insights is currently recruiting for In-Store shop along with a pre- work activity.

The study will take place from  October 19th through 21st and you will be compensated with a $225 Gift card of your choice.  as a thank you for your time.

If you are interested in participating please fill out the survey here. If you pre-qualify Q-insights will call you to ask some additional qualifying questions.

Tryazon: Build Outside the Box with Squaregles Building Party!

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.

Play beyond the build with a new Tryazon Featured Party opportunity from Squaregles! Squaregles have strong magnets that allow kids to build interactive structures so they can play with what they built. They have more ways to play with characters, comics for adventures, paperboard for doodling, tracks, cars for action, and more! Artists and storytellers can draw their own features on panels that pop in and out of magnetic frames so kids can build, play, re-design and repeat. Let kids get lost in play with Squaregles!

Tryazon has 100 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack with a variety of Squaregles sets to sample and share with friends and family, valued at $360+ in total!

Learn more and apply here.

10/14/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals!

This was a week of appointments and business. I apologize for the lack of posts over the past few days, hopefully, this batch of fresh Freebies and deals will make up for it.

Don’t forget all of the 2022 Birthday Freebies! Make sure to check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

Freebies:

Free Subscription to Out Magazine
Free COLUMBUS Craft Meats Charcuterie Board
Free Colive Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Free wood Puzzle, Cinche Bag & Markers at JCPenney
Free Hefty Trash Bags at Select Stores
Free Trick or Treat Wall Décor Craft at Michaels
Free Last Bubbles Bouchon
Free Coffee Every Friday at Cumberland Farms
Free Speck iPhone 14 Phone Case
Free Nature’s Fynd Meatless Breakfast Patties
Free ILY Stickers
4+ Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free Injection Serum & Mask + $50 Amazon eGift Card
Free eos Stickers (Email)
Free Light & Lean Recipe Booklet
Free Above MS Recipe Book
Free 19 Crimes Coasters, Hat, Tumblers & More
Free L’Oreal Le Color Gloss Sample
Free Green Garden Freeze Dried Herbs
Free Darkwood PC Game
Free CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream
Free iPhone Phone Cases & Protectors
Free Halo Top Light Ice Cream Chatterbox Kit
Free Sample of L’Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Moisturizer
Free Lancome La Vie Est Belle Fragrance Sample
Free Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze at Taco Bell
Free Marco Sweet & Spices Internationally-Inspired Ice Cream
Free Fenty Fat Water Toner
Free Sample of Erborian CC Creme
Free Sample of AERIN Amber Musk Eau de Parfum
25 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free 3-Months of SiriusXM – $54 Value w/ No Credit Card Needed

Deals

Champion Women’s Crop Top T-Shirt ONLY $8.69 (Reg $25)
LOL Surprise OMG Movie Magic Doll ONLY $14.78 (Reg $37)
Vera Bradley Large Travel Duffle Bag ONLY $74.68 (Reg $155)
Revlon Root Booster Styler Brush ONLY $32.49 (Reg $65)
Infrared Motion Sensor Trash Can Set ONLY $61.75 (Reg $110)
OneSpace Craft Station w/ with Blue Glass ONLY $100 (Reg $205)
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Martha Stewart Holiday 2-Pc Cocottes ONLY $14.99 (Reg $50)
Chefman Countertop Blending System ONLY $29.99 (Reg $80)
Kate Spade Perry Small Backpack ONLY $79 (Reg $329)

Q-insights Nicotine study- It pays $100

QI-logoNOslogan.pngQ-insights is another company where 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. This upcoming survey takes place virtually!

Currently, they are looking for people to complete an online study on the topic of nicotine usage. The study will run from Oct 25th-Nov 9th  and you will be compensated $100.00 as a thank you for your time.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the survey here to see if you qualify.

Dream Dinner October Mini Bundle Offer!

It’s back! Dream Dinners is now offering Smaller Minimum Orders for a limited time*! Beginning this week until October 21 you can order Eight meals for Only $189

The October Dinner Bundle includes:

  • Parmesan Herb Crusted Chicken with Oven Roasted Broccoli
  • Cranberry Buttermilk Chicken with Almond Green Beans
  • Maple Pork Tenderloin with Bountiful Baked Beans
  • Firehouse Three Cheese Pasta with Meatballs
  • Maple Bourbon BBQ Chicken with Bacon
  • Old Fashioned Meatloaf
  • Autumn Chicken Pie
  • Tortellino Al Forno

This offer is not available online. To place your order call/text 619-460-6800 or email lamesaca@dreamdinners.com.

*This offer is only available for a limited time. Contact your store by Friday, October 21st at 9 am to place your order. The bundle offer includes 1 of each entree listed. Any changes or substitutions will be subject to the current retail value of the entree.

 

If you are new to Dream Dinners, check out my amazing giveaway here!

Mabel’s Labels 2022 Holiday Collection Is Here! Get 10% Off Selected Holiday Products! #Sponsored

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

Mabel’s Labels has released its new holiday labels!

This is the perfect time to stock up early on all your holiday stationery and gifting needs!
Now through 10/31/2022, save 10% Off Mabel’s Labels’ select holiday products.

Check out the Holiday Products here!

What is included:
• Holiday Return Envelope Labels
• Holiday Gift Tags
• Stocking Stuffers
• Return Address Stamp  (This is my favorite product)