family

1/25/2021 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgMy Word- It’s cold outside! The forecast for the week here in San Diego is cold, rainy, breezy weather. I’ve planned meals around warm, filling, comfort meals.

I did my weekly trip to the store yesterday for bread, milk, eggs, and snack/lunch items.

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.  The kids are nuts about pancakes. The Big Kid has been on a protein shake kick in the AM.

Lunch: The kiddo and I usually have something quick and filling (I’ve been prepping bean and rice bowls on Sundays for us to have during week) so we can get back to our adventures.  Big kid takes his lunch to school. He’s been digging on Bear naked protein granola in his lunch lately. It’s his new favorite.

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:  Lasagna Soup and Sourdough toast (Dream Dinners)
  • Monday:  Hashbrowns, Egg/veggie scramble, Fruit
  • Tuesday:  Soup (we’ve got a batch of Potato Cheese soup in the freezer)/Meal of Snacks
  • Wednesday: Chicago Style Chicken, Roasted Veggies, Salad (Dream Dinners)
  • Thursday: Grilled Cheese sandwiches, Salad, Soup
  • Friday:  Pizza Night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Fiesta

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?

1/18/2021 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThe kids have off today for MLK Day, so we’re planning some socially distanced shenanigans (shell collecting at the beach, picnic lunch, and picking up our Dream Dinners order). The past few weeks have been so busy, and this week plans to be jam-packed as well.

My friend Brooke recently hosted a Dream Dinner Virtual Party, and I took advantage of one of the deals- 6 dinners (each dinner serves 2-3 adults) for $99.00. I’ll be posting more info and details in the coming weeks, but for those of you who want to meal plan, but don’t know if it’s for you, Dream Dinners is a great resource.

I did my weekly trip to the store yesterday for bread, milk, salad, and ice cream. The kids have requested chocolate chip cookies, I’ll try to make a batch tomorrow.

I’m trying hard to stick to our budget of $100/week for groceries and prepare dinners that are filling and hearty.  It can be a struggle, but I shop sales, discount grocery stores, and use my cashback apps.

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.  The kids are nuts about pancakes. The Big Kid has been on a protein shake kick in the AM.

No school tomorrow, but I think we’ll have a picnic while we’re out and about. The rest of the week it’s 1/2 days for the littlest bit, and full days for the big dude. This afternoon I need to pop over to the store and pick up some lunch goodies. Big kid takes his lunch to school, but little bit has lunch at home after school.

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:  Veggie Burgers on Salad (that’s what we ended up having, I had planned to do smoothies and caulifries too, but nah…)
  • Monday:  Pasta, Salad, and Garlic Bread
  • Tuesday:  Frozen Entrees & Salad
  • Wednesday: Protein shakes/smoothies, toast, and fruit
  • Thursday:  Dream Dinners Meal & Veggies
  • Friday:  Pizza Night!
  • Saturday: Dream Dinners Meal & Veggies

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?

Cents Of Style Fashion Friday: Over 15 Dresses 50% OFF

Abby H.

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

This week Cents of Style is hooking us up with some sweet prices on dresses! With these dresses 50% off, that means they start as low as $12.50! The coupon code to enter at checkout is YESDRESS Making EVERY. SINGLE. DRESS. on the page 50% OFF! Don’t forget FREE Shipping over $35! The code is active until 1/12/21 at midnight.

Most of the dresses come in sizes S-XL, with a few going up to 3xl.

DressesMy Favorite, the Cecilia comes in 8 colors, is available in Sizes s-3XL and is only $12.50 with the coupon code YESDRESS.

 

I will be buying a few this weekend.

1/8/2021 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.
bright boxes

Woo Hoo- Our first Freebie and Deal Friday post of 2021! Since my birthday is next month, I’m going to start searching for new/different birthday freebies (last year’s post is here), and I’ll be posting an update in the next few weeks.

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:

Free El Yucateco Hot Sauce
Free GoMacro Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip MacroBars
Free Triceratops Kits at Lowe’s
Free Kerastase Chronologiste Hair Care Products
Free Honey Mama’s Honey-Cocoa Bar
Free Freak Flag Organics Bone Broth
Free Korean Brand Products
Free Beauty Products & More with Topbox Circle
Free Seaworld Teacher Card
Free The Honest Stand Plant-Based Dip
FREE Amazon Baby Box Samples Back in Stock
JCPenney Portraits – Free 8×10 for Military Families
Free Stainless Steel Insulated Cups
New Sampler Samples – Axe, Abeille Serenity Kids & More
Free Incontinence Products
3 Free O3 Superfoods Flax Butter Samples
Free SuperLeaf Kratom Powder Sample
Free Walkie Talkie Set
Free SkinnyPop or Pirate’s Booty Products
Free SeaWorld + Aquatica Orlando Preschool Card
Free Infantino Grow With Me 3-In-1 Tummy Time Piano
Free Box of Vahdam Turmeric Herbal Tea
Free ONE Brands Maple Glazed Protein Bar
Free Movie Ticket to Fatale
Free Carlson Kid’s Probiotic Stix
Sephora – Free NARS, Laneige, Moroccanoil or Kerastatse Mini Set

Deals:

Aurora 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder ONLY $30.48 (Reg $70)
3 Free Months of Amazon Music Unlimited
Union & Scale Task Chair $69.99 at Staples (Reg $120)
Hair Waver Iron $25.47 Shipped at Amazon (Reg $40)
Alexa Clutch ONLY $13.99 Shipped at Jane (Reg $29)
Dial Antibacterial Deodorant Soap 8-Pack ONLY $5.03 (Reg. $10)
Scotch 5-Inch Kid Scissors ONLY $0.41 Each on Amazon
Toysmith Magnetic Dart Board ONLY $12.53 (Reg. $30)
Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers 12-Count ONLY $5.47 (Reg. $10)
Planters Salted Peanuts Resealable Jar 35-Oz ONLY $4.52 Shipped
Miracle-Gro Orchid Food ONLY $4.68 on Amazon (Reg. $11.44)
PURA D’OR Moroccan Argan Oil ONLY $12.99 (Reg. $25)
Nexcare Acne Cover 36-Count ONLY $4.18 (Reg. $8)
Hand Sanitizer In Stock – Large Bottle for $5.46
MUK LUKS Women’s Janet Boots ONLY $24.99 (Reg. $65)
BIC Xtra-Sparkle Mechanical Pencil 24-Ct ONLY $5.97 (Reg. $12)

Little Caesar’s $5 off First Deliver Order!

Abby H.

You read that right! $5 off your first Little Caesar’s Delivery with coupon code TRYDELIVERY6. This deal isn’t good forever: it’s only valid through 1/31/2020. Download the Little Caesar’s App wherever you get apps.

In addition to pizza, the small Roman (that’s what we call it around here) also has breadsticks, wings, and drinks!

Details/Small Print:

The $5 Off First Delivery Promotional Offer (“Promotion”): Between January 4, 2021 and January 31, 2021 (“Promotion Period”), customers who have never before ordered for delivery on the Little Caesars mobile app (“App”) or online at LittleCaesars.com (“Site”) will get a $5 credit (“$5 Credit”) on their first delivery of any pizza (“Qualifying Pizza Purchase”) when they order via the App or Site in accordance with these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”). To redeem the Offer, Eligible Customers (defined below in Section 2) must (i) obtain a valid promo code (“Promo Code”), which Sponsor will make available on in-store materials, TV and its social media platforms; (ii) place their Qualifying Pizza Purchase in the cart; and (iii) enter the valid Promo Code at checkout. The $5 Credit will be deducted from the Eligible Customer’s order for delivery at check-out. Promo Code numbers may vary depending on how they are communicated, but each Promo Code will entitle an Eligible Customer to the same $5 Credit regardless of the Promo Code number.
OFFER REDEEMABLE ONLY WITH ONLINE AND APP ORDERS FOR DELIVERY MADE THROUGH LITTLE CAESARS AND NOT REDEEMABLE ON IN-STORE ORDERS OR PIZZA PORTAL® PICK-UP ORDERS OR ON THIRD-PARTY ONLINE SITES OR IN ANY MANNER OTHER THAN PROVIDED HEREIN.

 

New Years Resolutions: Are We Even Doing Them for 2021?

Abby H.

Seriously… Can we skip them?

I know a lot of people who feel like they have to do them because of traditions, or it helps them feel like they are in control. If that is you, awesome! You do you.

If you are on the fence, feel like it might cause you more stress than it’s worth, it’s ok to skip New Years Resolutions or anything else that causes undue stress. We all have enough stress right now.

If you want to do them, I did a round-up of the top ten NYR in 2018 (for 2019) here. Some of the links within the articles may be outdated, but if you are looking for something specific, please feel free to reach out to me either via email or via Instagram or Facebook.

The one end of year/new year tradition that I do is to buy 4 new calendars: One for the kitchen, one for my bathroom (next to my vanity), one for each of the kid’s rooms. I update them all monthly with appointments, birthdays, and holidays. I usually buy a calendar with the daily silly “holidays” on it for the kitchen. I bought this one for 2021.

You will probably start to see more posts from me (and my helpers), as one of my plans (not resolutions) is to start posting more now that I am able to have a pretty solid daily and weekly routine.

If there are topics that you would like to see or learn more about, drop me a message. I’ve got a lot of fun and good stuff planned (like quarterly Amazon Gift Card giveaways), and I’m going to continue sharing savings tips and deals, and of course crafts and recipes!

 

 

 

 

Coming January 29, 2021: Netflix’s Finding Ohana

Abby H.

This movie looks like a great family flix. I’m excited to watch it with the kids. After all of the holiday movies, my kids usually want to watch something together that showcases family and friends- Finding ‘Ohana will fit the bill!

Cast: Kea Peahu, Alex Aiono, Lindsay Watson, Owen Vaccaro, with Kelly Hu and Branscombe Richmond, Ke Huy Quan, Brad Kalilimoku, Chris Parnell, Marc Evan Jackson, Ricky Garcia

Releases globally on Netflix on January 29, 2021, Finding ‘Ohana tells the tale of a summer in rural Oahu that takes an exciting turn for two Brooklyn-raised siblings when a journal pointing to long-lost treasure sets them on an epic adventure with new friends and leads them to reconnect with their Hawaiian heritage.

Holiday Recipe Round Up!

Abby H.

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:

 

Cents of Style Sale: Cardigans & Kimonos 50% OFF Starting Under $10

Abby H.

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

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!

Cardigan

12/21/20 Weekly Meal Plan!

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI 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.

  • Sunday:  Meatloaf, fruit, noodles, & rolls Meatloaf recipe will be posted this week
  • Monday: Soup, salad, and fruit
  • Tuesday: Grilled Cheese, Fruit, and salad
  • Wednesday: Nugget Night (With Birdseye cauli fries)
  • Thursday: Pizza Night
  • Friday:  Pot Roast in the crockpot, oven roasted vegetables, salad
  • Saturday: Leftover Shenanigans

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?