5/16/2022 Weekly Meal Plan

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The end of the school year is coming, and that means one of my jobs is coming to an end for a few months. I’m going to be doing some budget re-tooling this week, and you may notice some posts here or on IG about budgets.

I spent the weekend with the family at a wedding, and then also at a school event. It was a lot, and the kids had a great time.

This morning I’m cleaning out the fridge and making room for our next CSA Box!

Our veggies and fruit are delivered by Yasukochi Family Farms CSA. For $28, it’s a great deal. I don’t have to pick anything, go to the store, or carry it upstairs. I can’t go to the store and get the same amount we get weekly for $28. Seriously. It’s a deal. They email a preview of what will be in the boxes over the weekend, so I can start thinking about what I’d like to make.

I went to the grocery store last night to pick up milk and some misc. groceries last night. With the increase in food costs, we are leaning more and more on our CSA box each week as the base of most of our meals.

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. I’m back to packing lunches again. However, school lunches are free this year- Little Bit has been buying her lunch and expanding her palate.  The big kid still brings lunch from home.

Dinner: We’re working our way through our monthly Dream Dinners order, and I am making two this week. We’ve got our usual Monday Nuggets and Friday Pizza planned, but other than that I’m cooking a lot this week!

Dream Dinners Fundraiser: Feed 37 people when You Buy 3 Meals for $50!

This just popped into my inbox, and I had to share.

You could feed a classroom full of children when you buy 3 Meals for $50 at the Dream Dinners Foundation Fundraiser.

When you buy 3 Medium Meals for only $50 for you to take home to enjoy with your family, the Dream Dinners Foundation will match the donation. The money raised from this fundraiser will go directly to pay for the supplies needed to pack 20,000 meals! The meals will be distributed to families with food insecurities both locally and abroad.

There are 5 options to choose from, and they are all GREAT. We love the Central Park Garlic Chicken with Oven Roasted Broccoli.

Meals will be available for pick up on Wednesday, May 18th, Curbside Pick up 4pm -6pm.

If you are interested in attending the volunteer meeting to learn more about how you can participate, you can also purchase this fundraiser special and attend the meeting. Call/Text 619-460-6800 or email lamesaca@dreamdinners.com for more details about that meeting.

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PinchMe: it’s Free Sample Friday!!

Surprise!! It’s Free Sample Friday!  PINCHme is hooking us up with a surprise freebie giveaway! I just logged onto my pinchme account and didn’t have any available samples, but you might!

Don’t have any idea what I am talking about? PinchMe! Join PINCHme and receive free samples that you can provide feedback on.

PinchMe is awesome! Once you are signed up, they will email you reminders when new samples are about to drop, and remind you when it’s time to leave feedback.

Answer a series of questions about your household and shopping habits in the Member Profile. PinchMe learns what you like and offer samples just for you.

Once you’ve had a chance to try the samples, complete a short feedback survey to tell PinchMe what you think of the samples.

I get PinchMe samples every month. Here is what arrived at the end of June for the June 2021 boxes. The One Bar was really good.

What are you waiting for? Sign up here and get on the free sample bandwagon! I’ve gotten all kinds of awesome sample/trial size items, as well as full-sized items to try out from PinchMe!

 

5/13/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Woo! May is flying by, and we’ve got a busy weekend ahead of us. Wedding and reception, girl scouts, swimming, playing with friends.

There are so many awesome freebies and deals this week, and the weather this weekend is supposed to be AWESOME (AND WARM) here in San Diego.

Mask Mandates are changing constantly in California and can vary by city and county, so please do your part if you are going to any in-person freebies.

2022 Birthday Freebies are here!

Freebies:

Free Collagenil Skincare Sample Set
Free Bim Bam Boo Toilet Paper Sample
2 Free Pints of Nightfood Ice Cream
Free SnackConscious Protein Bites
Free Craize Snack Crackers
Free Ice Cream at Maggie Moo’s & Marble Slab
Free Tom’s of Maine’s Complete Protection Deodorant
Free Sweetarts Fusions at Select Stores
Free After Sun Skincare Product
Free Food & Drinks at Circle K
Free Products from Influenster
Hidden Valley Ranchology Rewards – Free Samples, Tote Bag & More
Free Classroom Film Screening Kit
Free Access to MyHeritage Ancestry Tools for 2 Weeks
Free ASPCA Pet Safety Magnet & Window Decal
Free Puttisu Kids Facial Sheet Mask
Free Mineral Natural Sunscreen
Free Pint of Frönen Dairy Free Ice Cream
Earn $2 to $75 per Completed Survey – Ages 13+ can Apply
Free Lotus Flower Gift
Free Richard’s Rainwater Sparkling at Whole Foods
Free Jonny Pops Popsicles
Free Small Blizzard Treat at Dairy Queen
Free Subscription to ELLE Magazine

Deals:

Charter Club Multi-Stone Jewelry Set ONLY $11.80 (Reg $30)
Hanes Mens Moccasin Slippers ONLY $8.49 (Reg $34)
Summer Waves 10-Ft Pool ONLY $59 (Reg. $87)
40% Off All Fanatics + Extra 10% Off at Checkout
Necklace and Stud Earring Set ONLY $17.99 (Reg $60)
Costway 10×10 Outdoor Tent ONLY $39.99 (Reg $100)
Whirlpool 3.1 cu ft Mini Refrigerator ONLY $159.99 (Reg $220)
Up to 72% Off Disney Treasures From the Vault Plush Characters
Moscow Mule Mug 2-Piece Set ONLY $14.99 (Reg $40)
Up to 60% OFF Women’s Swim Suits at JCPenney
Kate Spade Harper Satchel ONLY $89 (Reg $359)
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Travel Cosmetic Case ONLY $23.40 (Reg $39)
Neutrogena Therapeutic Shampoo ONLY $3.19 (Reg $8)
Threshold Fuzzy Foam Bath Rugs 2-Pack ONLY $10 (Reg $20)
Discover & Play Piano Musical Toy ONLY $8.60 (Reg. $17)
StyleCraft Supercharged Nano-Ceramic Dryer ONLY $47.97 (Reg $80)

Tryazon: Sweeten Lunchtime with Zollipops and Lunch Notes!

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.

Brighten your kids’ lunchtime with this Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, from Zolli Candy and MyWish4U. Zolli Candy is all sugar free and is supercharged with smile-friendly, natural ingredients that are actually good for your teeth! Zolli naturally balances your pH and reduces acid in your mouth making it the perfect way to end lunch! ZolliPops and Zaffi are diabetic friendly, keto, gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan. Lunch Notes From Me® are a series of notes to tuck in your kids’ lunch to make sure they know they are loved and thought about when they are at school. They have a variety of notes including Facts & Funnies, Riddles & Giggles, Brainteasers & Giggles, and more!

Tryazon has 100 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack valued at $75+ with a variety of Zolli Candy and Lunch Notes From Me® to share with friends and family! Learn more and apply here.

Recipe: Parm Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwiches!

I posted this pic on IG and Facebook the other day, and tons of people messaged me for the recipe. It’s super EASY. And tasty. And slightly addictive.

Here’s the recipe. And you’re welcome.

Parm Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Ingredients:

  • 2 T. softened butter
  • 2 T. Kraft 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese (make sure your parm is 100% cheese. Some cheaper brands have cellulose filler)
  • 2 pieces of bread (I used Oasis Rosemary Sourdough bread)
  • 2-4 slices of cheese- I used sharp cheddar, but provolone is good too.

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix butter and parm.
  2. Spread the butter mixture on 1 side of each piece of bread.
  3. Assemble sandwich in griddle/frying pan: bread (butter side out), cheese, remaining bread.
  4. cook on medium heat for 2-4 minutes, until the parm and the butter have formed a crust. Flip the sandwich and cook on the other side.

This sandwich is good on its own or good with soup. I recommend Roasted Onion and Caramelized Onion Bisque.

AO Opinions: Upcoming Grocery Project $125

AO Opinions is another Market Research company that I get information from. Right now they are recruiting for an upcoming research study on the subject of  grocery shopping (specifically fish products),

  • To be considered, complete the pre-screener survey here.
  •  Compensation: $125 (if chosen)
  • Open to: 25-65 year olds 
  • Tuesday, May 24th or Wednesday, May 25th 2022
  • Times Currently Available: MUST JOIN 15-MINS EARLY (Various times available)

Free Music Classes from Staump Music School

It’s Back!

We received this email from the school district yesterday, and I wanted to share this free deal with y’all.

If you are looking for something fun for the kids to try this summer, Staump Music School is offering a free month of voice, guitar, piano, or ukelele.

Have you been thinking about enrolling your child in music lessons? Now’s your chance to try it 100% risk-free!

What is a 30-Day Lesson Pass?

Their 30-day lesson pass is good for four 45-minute class sessions throughout one month! In other words, you will have one 45-minute group class each week for four consecutive weeks.

How do you sign up for a lesson pass?

Visit Staump Music School’s website here and complete the form.

Your child will get to experience the joys of music for an entire month, completely risk-free! We want to make sure your child truly enjoys their class & has so much fun they want to keep coming back!

This is a really fun opportunity, and if your kiddo has expressed interest in learning an instrument or singing, this is a great way to see if this is something they can get into and enjoy without committing to a lot of lessons (or money).

Cents of Style: Weekly Deal- 5/9/22- ENTIRE Jumpsuit Collection Starting at ONLY $17

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

Did you know that jumpsuits are trending SO big? And that they are selling for upwards of $100+?!?!

 

Cents of Style is hooking us up. So for a limited time, you can get ALL these jumpsuits starting UNDER $20. You can dress these jumpsuits up with a cute Henley or dress them down as a swimsuit cover with tennies…you could also sleep in them they’re so comfy! They check ALL the boxes…every. single. one. Slouchy fit, casual boho vibes, and perfect pockets.

There are several styles that go up to 3xl, so there are sizes for most of us to enjoy.

Use coupon code SPRINGSAVINGS at checkout. Hurry, because these sweet jumpsuits are only on sale until 5/16/2022.

Q-insights Leather Groups $150

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Q-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 an online blog on the topic of leather
products.

The study will run between May 16th – May 23rd  and you will be compensated $150 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 as some additional qualifying questions.