family

9/22/2024 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI’m back to posting Meal Plans. I took some time away to try and get back into the back-to-school/work swing of things.

I’m working on batch cooking to have soups/stews in the freezer. I made chicken noodle soup and chili from scratch this weekend. I split each batch into three: 1 for the fridge, one for the freezer, and one for my mom.

I add a lot of veggies to my soups and stews to increase the fiber content and help us get in our five a day.

Thanks to the great freebies from Social Nature and Aisle, we’ve been trying new foods lately. It’s fun to try new foods.

If you 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 good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I 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.

Breakfast: I’ve been really into protein coffee lately. It helps me hit my protein goals and keeps me full until lunch. I use premade protein shakes like these. The kids request bagels and fruit most mornings. The big kid is on a smoothie kick; his favorites are here. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. I have a post here about our lunches. School lunches are free for kids in California, but my kids usually bring lunch from home.

Dinner: I reorganized the freezer over the weekend and discovered some spaghetti sauce, and a few other things that were buried under frozen fruit. Because we’ve got a busy week ahead (doctor’s appointments after school/work), we’ll be utilizing a lot of batch-prepped foods.

  • Sunday:  Spaghetti with veggie/meat sauce, garlic bread
  • Monday: Chicken noodle soup or smoothies with avocado toast

  • Tuesday: Chili, tortilla chips, fruit

  • Wednesday: Chef Salad, garlic bread

  • Thursday: Breakfast for dinner- Probably Quiche

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

9/20/2024 Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

Back to school season has kicked my butt! I’m not feeling too hot today, but I wanted to get some freebies and deals out there.

The 2024 Birthday Freebie post is here! Check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

My comprehensive list can be found here if you are looking for free food resources. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are outside my area.

Freebies:

Free SPD Fresh Roll Dog Food In-Store
Free Chomps Stick at Target After Rebate
Free Mugler Alien Hypersense Fragrance Sample
Free Just for Men 1-Day Beard & Brow Color Sample
Possible Free Catit Creamy Cups Cat Food
Free Rind Dried Fruit Snacks & Mixes
Free Make Your Own Scarecrow or Pumpkin Noodle Craft Kit at JCPenney
Free 8-Pack of Spindrift Cranberry Raspberry Sparkling Water
Free Bag of G.H. Cretors After Rebate
Free Mamba Fruit Chews at Aldi
Free Fragrance Samples from Macy’s
Free 20 oz. Bottle of MTN DEW In-Stores
Big List of Free Burgers + National Cheeseburger Day Deals TODAY
Free 2024 National Parks Entrance Days
Free 6-Piece Chicken Nuggets Every Wednesday at Wendy’s
Free $15 Amazon Credit with Amazon Photos
Free Sample of i-ENVY Cluster Palette Lashes
Free Sample of Soma Mouth Tape
2 Free Movie Tickets to Megalopolis
Free Active Minds Lab Products for Kids
Free Whopper, Chicken Sandwich, Fries & More at Burger King
The Best Free Skincare Samples to Request Right Now
Free Queso Day at Moe’s Southwest Grill on September 20th
Free Dr. TLR Bio-Collagen Face Mask
Free Sample of Arrowleaf Pet Intesti Care
Free 2025 EWTN Family Calendar
Possible Free Mattel Toys
750 Free Burger King Crowns Reward Points = Free Whopper
Top Freebies and Rewards for Good Report Cards
Free Coffee Mate Bagel & Cream Cheese Coffee Creamer – Today at 12pm EST
Free Jimmy Dean Griddle Bag & Product Coupon – 1st 50 Each Day
Free Decora Girlz Fashion Party Pack
Free Good Planet Foods Olive Oil Slices or Shreds After Rebate
Free Bloomingdale’s Little Freebies Box
Free 4-Pack of PROTALITY Shakes
Free Sample of Beggin’ Flavor Stix with Bacon & Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Free Pampers Swaddlers 360° Sample Pack
Free Bag of Yummers After Rebate
Free Full-Size e.l.f. Invisible Sunscreen SPF 35

Deals:
Shark Steam Mop ONLY $49.88 (Reg. $70)
Michael Kors up to 80% Off
Kids Backpacks up to 64% Off at Macy’s
Amazon Basics Folders with 2 Pockets 2-Pack ONLY 49¢
Grab These Best Shoe Deals on Sale For Women, Men & Kids, Up to 70% OFF
Kate Spade Glimmer Oval Camera Bag ONLY $56 (Reg $299)
Home Expressions Microfiber Sheet Set ONLY $11.99 (Reg $30)
Coach Outlet Sale – 70% Off Clearance2
Flash Sale: 75% Off Women’s Swimwear

Legoland: Don’t Miss This Summer Ticket Deal!

Abby H.

Legoland California has an awesome deal going on right now, perfect for an end-of-summer staycation!

Get up to four $39 Kids Resort Hopper Tickets with the purchase of an Adult Resort Hopper Ticket! Hurry, a limited number of tickets are available at this price each day, for a limited time only. Get them before they’re gone!

Resort Hopper Tickets include LEGOLAND Theme Park + SEA LIFE Aquarium + Water Park.

When to Visit: Now – September 13, 2024

If you are enjoying Legoland on a budget, check out my ideas for saving money in the park here.

Water Park is closed on select dates during the promotional window. Check the operating calendar for more information. On dates the Water Park is closed, the offer is valid for a SEA LIFE Hopper Ticket.

Questions? Click here for FAQs.

8/18/2024 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpg4 days until school starts for us… Not that I’m counting.

I meal planned for the next two weeks last night as I was inventorying the kitchen. But to make it easier, I am only posting 1 week at a time

I’m trying hard to increase the kids’ fiber and protein intake. I can tell the difference when they are filling up on both- if nothing else, it helps them sleep better.

Thanks to the great freebies from Social Nature and Aisle, we’ve been trying new foods lately. It’s fun to try new foods.

If you 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 good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I 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.

Breakfast: I’ve been really into protein coffee lately. It helps me hit my protein goals and keeps me full until lunch. I use premade protein shakes like these. The kids request bagels and fruit most mornings. The big kid is on a smoothie kick; his favorites are here. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. We eat lunch at home most days, and I pack snacks and water for us when we are out having summer adventures. Now that we are focusing on BTS, I reorganized the snack totes (yes there are two) and set up for making school lunches. I take my lunch to work and meal prep lunches once a week.

Dinner: Now that I’m back to working full time, I’m leaning heavily into meal prepping. I’ve got all kinds of meals in the freezer, and hopefully, once the temperature drops- It’ll be soup time!!

  • Sunday:  Dream Dinner, Salad (Dream Dinner Deal here)
  • Monday: Beans, Rice, and Quesadillas, Salad

  • Tuesday: Pasta Bake, Green Beans, Garlic Bread

  • Wednesday: Mac n’ Cheese, Smoothies, chips (first day of school)

  • Thursday: Breakfast for dinner- Pancakes, smoothies, sausage

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

I’m in the final stretch of BTS prep, which is why there was no Freebie Friday post yesterday. But there are some

The 2024 Birthday Freebie post is here! Check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

My comprehensive list can be found here if you are looking for free food resources. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are outside my area.

Freebies:

Free Air Wick Plug in Scented Oil Advanced Gadget
Free Sample of dermaFIT Muscle Retention Cream
Free Sample of Stopain Extra Strength Pain Relieving Gel
Free Make Your Own Sloth Door Hanger Craft Kit at JCPenney
Free Sample of SUNSHIELD+ Tinted Mineral Sunscreen + Organic 3-in-1 Cream
Free Sample of Crave Me Cookies + Free Shipping
Free 2025 Rainin The Art of Pipetting Calendar
Free Mini-Treehouse Craft for Kids at Lowe’s
2 Free Bags of Undercover Snacks Chocolate Quinoa Crisps After Rebate
Free Sample of John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Touch-Up Creme
Free Green Valley Lactose Free Cheese After Rebate
Free 6-Pack of BUBBL’R Antioxidant Water
Free 4-Pack of ProGo Protein & Energy Bars
Free Fries Every Friday at Wendy’s
Kleenex is Giving Away $500,000 to Schools
Free Kim Crawford Summer Club Party Kit
Free Stay at the Rice Krispies Re-Treat Suite
Free Marinela Sweet Snacks Chatterbuy Kit
Free e.l.f. Lash XTNDR Mascara
Free LEGO Creativity Workshops – Sign Up Now
Free Sample of Friskies Party Mix Original Crunch Cat Treats

 

Deals:

Target Kid Boots as low as $14
Kate Spade Jewelry as low as $12 (Reg $39+)
Free Crest Toothpaste
Kate Spade Wristlets From $29 (Reg $139) + Free Shipping
Purex Detergent ONLY $2.99 (Reg. $8.99)

Tryazon: Cake-N-Bake Game Night!

Abby H.

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.

Introducing Cake-N-Bake Challenge a brand new game in this new Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, sponsored by Hey Buddy Hey Pal! Bring the excitement of baking shows into the game room with a fast-paced, color-matching, cake-building game!  With 3 different ways to play, the fun keeps going. Perfect for ages 4+ so it’s great for family and friend game nights.

Tryazon has 100 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack with the brand new title Cake-N-Bake Challenge, and other fun extras to share with friends and family! Learn more and apply here: https://www.tryazon.com/cake-n-bake-game-night-party/

8/11/2024 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpg10 days until school starts for us… Not that I’m counting.

I grocery shopped on Thursday and picked up a lot of staples for smoothies and mac n’ cheese- The two current food hyper focuses.

I’m trying hard to get the kids to increase their fiber and protein intake. I can tell the difference when they are filling up on both- if nothing else, it helps them sleep better.

Thanks to the great freebies from Social Nature and Aisle, we’ve been trying new foods lately. It’s fun to try new foods.

If you 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 good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I 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.

Breakfast: I’ve been really into protein coffee lately. It helps me hit my protein goals and keeps me full until lunch. I use premade protein shakes like these and these. The kids request bagels and fruit most mornings. The big kid is on a smoothie kick; his favorites can be found here. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. We eat lunch at home most days, and I pack snacks and water for us when we are out having summer adventures.

Dinner: It’s so hot here in Southern California, that I’m trying hard not to turn on the oven. We’re enjoying a lot of ready-to-eat sides (chips and fruit), so that time in the kitchen is minimized.

  • Sunday:  Sweet and Spicy Pork, Basmati Rice, Roasted Green Beans (any leftovers will be meal-prepped for lunches for the remainder of the week)
  • Monday: Chicken Noodle Soup, Smoothies, garlic bread

  • Tuesday: Mac n’ Cheese, Smoothies, chips

  • Wednesday: Chicken Fajita Veggie Skillet, tortilla chips or cheese quesadillas (kids choice)

  • Thursday: Breakfast egg bake (sausage, eggs, hashbrowns, veggies)

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

Back to School Amazon Coupon Codes- Save up to 50%!

Abby H.

I love good deals. I recently stumbled across a few great deals on Amazon on back-to-school essentials.

As someone who works in a school, this is my number one deal- 72 Pack Black Whiteboard Erasable Markers at 50% off with coupon code 50T375GI. (deal ends 8/9/2024 at 11:59PM PDT)

I have already ordered this one- The charging cables in my house are out of control. Electronics Organizer bag 9.45″x7.09″x3.94″. 50% off with coupon code 507ITYG2. (deal ends Aug 11, 2024 at 11:59 PM PDT)

Daily and Weekly Planners in various pastel colors 8.4’x6.4″ 40% off with coupon code 40Y873CB. (deal ends 8/13/2024 at 11:59 PM PDT)

Sticky Notes – 12 Pads, 3”x3” – Colorful Self-Stick Post Notes 50% off with coupon code 50IOUFN5. (deal ends Aug 14, 2024 at 11:59 PM PDT)

Acrylic Paint Markers– These are awesome for painting rocks among other things. Two varieties 50% off with coupon code 50Q1I3IN. (deal ends Aug 17, 2024 at 11:59 PM PDT)

Acrylic Magnetic Whiteboard Acrylic Calendar, Monthly and Weekly Calendar – 16″x12″ Size- includes 6 Color Dry Erase Markers.   50% off with coupon code 50N7O8VA. (deal ends 8/18/2024 at 11:59 PM PDT)

Talk Back: I love hunting for good deals- If you are looking for a deal, please let me know- I’d love to help!

8/9/2024 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

School has already started for a lot of kids, my kids have less than 2 weeks of summer break left.

The back-to-school freebies and deals are pretty sweet this week.

The 2024 Birthday Freebie post is here! Check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

My comprehensive list can be found here if you are looking for free food resources. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are outside my area.

Freebies:

Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free TruRanch Collagen Sticks Dog Treats Dog Chews
Free Color Your Own Pencil Pouch Craft Kit at JCPenney
Score Free Full-Sized Product Coupons from Social Nature
Free IndestrucTable ECO Table Tryabox
Free 8×10 Photo Print at Walgreens
Free Pair of Underwear at Duluth Trading Co. Stores on August 10th (Midwestern friends only)
50 Free Bonus Box Tops with Box Tops for Education = Free $5
Free Winged Wellness Product After Rebate
Free Week of Smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Teachers – Possible Free Pets in the Classroom Grant
PINCHMme New Free Samples Every Day
Free Perfect Bar at Aldi
Free Amazon Prime for Students for 6 Months
Possible Free MONDAY Haircare Shampoo & Conditioner
50 Free Burger King Crowns Reward Points Daily
Free HunYule Skincare Samples

Deals:

Kate Spade Staci Dual Zip Crossbody ONLY $79 (Reg $259)
Galanz 3.3 Cu ft One Door Mini Fridge ONLY $118 at Walmart (Reg $190)
50% Off School Uniform Multipacks + Extra 20% Off 3 or More
Garnier Shampoo ONLY $1 (Reg $5.49)
Free Rind Dried Fruit Snacks & Mixes
$50 Off Converse Back to School Kit
Starbucks 50% Off Handcrafted Drinks – TODAY 8/9

 

California Residents: Free Behavioral Health Coaching for Kids 0-12

Abby H.

Brightlife is a great, free resource for California families. They offer free behavior coaching for parents of children ages 0-12 years.

Kids ages 0–12 get free, expert coaching for sleep issues, worry, social skills, and more. Live, 1:1 video sessions, secure chat, on-demand content, and more.

Brightlife Kids is fully paid for by the State of California. Together, we are working to ensure all California families can find the behavioral health support they need when they need it. You qualify if you have a California zip code and a child ages 0–12.

Check out their website for more information and to see if Brightlife is a good fit for your family.