food

4/9/2023 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

We finished up our first week of spring break! Next week we’re hitting up the zoo or Safari Park, maybe a few museums at Balboa Park, and if it stays warm, we may go swimming at our community pool.

The 2023 Birthday Freebie post is here! Make sure to check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

There are some pretty sweet freebies this week- Let’s Dive In!

Freebies:

Free Hershey’s Kisses at Select Stores
Free Flock Chicken Skin Crisps After Rebate
Free His Only Son Movie Ticket
Free Braille Book Every Month
Free Enjoy Life Breakfast Ovals
Free Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Temporary Tattoo
Free Pack of Once Again Cracker Sandwiches
Free Halfday Tea After Rebate
Free 8×10 Photo Print at CVS
Free Albanese Gummi Bears Sample at Sam’s
Free Gamer Supps GG Energy Sample Pack
Free La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen Sample
Free Bottle of Pedialyte at Walmart
Free Minute Maid Aguas Frescas Chatterbox
Free Sample of AERIN Amber Musk Eau de Parfum
Hidden Valley Ranchology Rewards – Free Samples, Tote Bag & More
Free Mexican Fruit Fly Temporary Tattoo
Free 6 oz. Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste at Big Lots
Free Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum Sample

 

Deals:

Shea Moisture Recovery Masque ONLY $1.46 (Reg $3.29)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 ONLY $169 (Reg $349.99)
Today ONLY: $10 Women’s and Girls Shorts at Old Navy
Nexxus Travel Shampoo ONLY $1.99 (Reg $4.99)
Titan Deep Freeze 8qt Roll Top Cooler ONLY $14.99 (Reg $24.99)
Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop ONLY $69 (Reg $100)
Kate Spade Harlow Crossbody ONLY $59 (Reg $279)

Dream Dinners: Lower Minimum Order, Lots of Tasty Options!

Abby H.

Dream Dinners is one of my favorite ways to save time and get tasty, healthy meals on the table in 45 minutes or less!

If you haven’t tried Dream Dinners yet, now is the perfect time! They have lowered their minimum orders to three meals. And April has some of my favorite meals:

  • Chicken with Honey, Garlic, and Orange with Oven Roasted Broccoli
  • Chateau Chicken with Almond Butter Sauce
  • Sonoma Grilled Steak
  • Tuscan Chicken Bake
  • Classic French Dip and Au Jus

I am picking up my Dream Dinners order tomorrow afternoon, and it is definitely coming in the clutch over spring break. We’ll be able to have our usual fun adventures and I’ll be able to get dinner on the table.

If you want to learn more, find your local Dream Dinner location, or place an order, click here.

Weekly Meal Plan: Spring Break Edition!

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis past weekend was PACKED. I finally sat down to write up my meal plan yesterday. This week and next are spring break for the kiddos and me. We are also having out-of-town guests, so I needed to plan out snacks and meals.

Thankfully our Yasukochi Family Farms  CSA box is delivered on Mondays, and that is a huge help when it comes to meal planning.

I prepped a bunch of veggies last night and this morning, including chopping veggies to roast, making a kale salad, and making a fruit salad.

I’ll be making some soups for the freezer this week as well, and I’ve got a new recipe to share.

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 (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. With Spring Break and lots of adventures out of the house, I’ll be packing snacks to take with us on the road. We’re definitely going to the free museum Tuesday at Balboa Park.

Dinner: I’m making sure to start our meals with lots of veggies. Now that I’m back in the gym and the kids are both in Martial Arts, we need to fuel our bodies properly.

  • Sunday: Soup and Salad
  • Monday: Mac and cheese, fruit, toast

  • Tuesday:  Salad with grilled chicken, roasted asparagus

  • Wednesday: Moosie’s Pot Roast, Roasted Veggies

  • Thursday: Fritatta, Corn Muffins, Fruit Salad

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftovers

April 3, 2023: Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day!

Abby H.

It’s BAAACCCCK!!!

Tomorrow is the day! Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s locations all across the US from noon until 8pm.

Find your local participating location here.

There is one in San Diego:  Seaport Village.

If you’ve never been, the line at Seaport Village goes pretty fast. It’s a great time, enjoying a tasty treat and watching the boats in the bay!

 

 

3/25/2023 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

Spring break starts next Friday at 2:01pm! WOO HOO!

This week has been busy, as usual. I’ve started back at the gym after a 3-year hiatus and plan to slowly regain my upper body strength.

The 2023 Birthday Freebie post is here! Make sure to check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

There are some pretty sweet freebies this week- Let’s Dive In!

Freebies:

Free Subscription to Bon Appetit
Free Coca-Cola Bottle Opener at Select Stores
Free AUVI-Q Back-to-School Kit
Free Hungry Buddah Keto Bars
Free Member’s Mark Coffee Pods at Sam’s
Free Bloomingdale’s Little Freebies Box
Free Blue Light Laser Pen for Wrinkles & Acne
Free Drink of Your Choice at Wawa
Possible Free Jan Marini Skincare Samples
Free Flock Chicken Skin Crisps After Rebate
Free 2023 Our Lady Calendar
Free Keds Stickers
Free ZenBiome Cope & Sleep Supplements
Free HOP WTR After Rebate
Free Seaworld Teacher Fun Card
Free Gain Fireworks Scent Boosters at Sam’s
Free The Good Patch Wellness Patch Sample
Free Happy Sloth Co. Sticker
POPSUGAR Dabble – Free Beauty Products
Free Dog Grooming Tools
Free L’Oreal Everpure Bond Strengthening Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Free Royal Canin Kitten Chatterbox
Free Simply Smartfood Popcorn at Stop & Shop
Free Truly Grass Fed Cheese at Publix
Free 8.4 oz. Can of Red Bull at Big Lots
Free Everyone Is Welcome Here Poster for Teachers
Free Goodles Mac & Cheese
Free Sample of Downy Unstopables at Sam’s
Free Haig Delicacies Dips at Ralph’s After Rebate
Free Pete & Gerry’s Pasture-Raised Eggs
Free Hartz Nature’s Shield Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo
Free Pom-Pom Chick Wreath Craft Event at Michaels

Deals
Ulta 21 Days of Beauty: 50% Off Boxum, IT Cosmetics & Benefit
Buzz Lightyear Figure ONLY $3.29 (Reg. $11.99)
Free Wet n Wild Cosmetics – Last Day
Home Edit Bento Box Food Storage Container ONLY $11.98 (Reg $20)
ChuckIt! Indoor Roller Dog Toy Ball ONLY $4.48 (Reg. $9.99)
Better Homes & Gardens Canister 3pk ONLY $10.97 (Reg. $18.28)

3/19/2023 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI’m back to Meal planning on Sundays. We receive an email on Saturdays from   Yasukochi Family Farms letting us know roughly what will be in our CSA box that is delivered on Monday afternoon.

Sunday I tend to prep proteins, make a batch of soup (incorporating a majority of the leftover veggies from that week’s CSA box), take stock of the pantry, fridge, and freezer, and lay out our basic meal plan for the week.

Today I’ll be making a few big batches of soup- half to go in the freezer, and half to serve this week. I may also make a batch of spaghetti sauce too.

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 every day and the littlest buys her lunch at school about half the time. In California, all public schools provide breakfast and lunch for free.

Dinner: Lots of veggies this week! We’re running low on meat, and with the price of it increasing, we’ll be enjoying plenty of vegetable-based meals this week.

  • Sunday: Chili on baked potatoes, roasted asparagus (kids will be having baked potatoes dressed to their preference)
  • Monday: Soup and salad (or protein shakes and salad)

  • Tuesday:  Vegetable Soup and Cheese Toast

  • Wednesday: Nuggets, fruit, crackers, and cheese (the typical Wednesday night dinner)

  • Thursday: Ramona’s Mess (Recipe coming up this week), fruit salad

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftovers

Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

It’s been a busy week! The Big Kid turned 12, and we’re celebrating tomorrow with friends, and we had a family dinner with pizza and ice cream cake on Wednesday.

I’m taking a very in-depth certification course while working full-time (between 2 jobs), so I haven’t had much energy to blog. My blogging journal is FULL of articles and ideas. I’ll have many posts coming up, especially during Spring Break.

The 2023 Birthday Freebie post is here! Make sure to check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

There are some pretty sweet freebies this week- Let’s Dive In!

Freebies:

Free Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Sample
Free Inside Movie Ticket
Free Hershey’s Kisses at Select Stores
Free Sound Sparkling Water After Rebate
Free Dude Wipes at Sam’s
Free Pretzel with the Wetzel’s Pretzel App
Free Pint of Eclipse Ice Cream After Rebate
Free Movie with Universal Pictures All-Access
Free Exploding Kittens for Kids Focus Group Games Pack
Free 2-Pack of Sambucol Black Elderberry Syrup
Free Gratsy Box
Free Scar & Stretchmark Treatment
Free Sample of Clinique Moisture Surge
Free Barnes & Noble Gift Card for Xfinity Rewards Members
Free He Gets Us Hats & T-Shirts
Free Gain Fireworks Scent Boosters at Sam’s
Free PLEZI Kids Juice Drink
Free Core Oat + Adaptogens Nutrition Bar After Cashback
Free Member’s Mark Better Nut Bar at Sam’s
Free Pom-Pom Bunny Art Craft Event at Michaels
Free Subscription to Harper’s Bazaar Magazine
Free Subscription to Town & Country Magazine
Free 11pc. Cookware Set
Free YSL Y Eau de Parfum Sample
Free Cleveland Kitchen Sauerkraut & Kimchi
Free Box of Magic Spoon Cereal After Rebate
Free Subscription to HGTV Magazine
Free Hair Styling Product + $50 Amazon eGift Card
Free Subscription to ELLE Magazine
Free Happy Hippo Kratom Sample
Free 12.5 oz Dr. Teal’s Hand Soap at Big Lots
Free Degree Dry Spray Sample
Free Pair of Mack’s Ear Plugs – Every Weekday
Free Core Bar After Rebate
Free 8pk BelliWelli Snack Bars After Rebate
Free Can of Surely Non-Alcoholic Wine at Boisson After Rebate
Free Hydrocolloid Blister Bandages
Get on Betty Crocker’s Free Sample List
Free BIC EasyRinse Men’s Razors at Walmart After Cashback
Free $10 Uber Ride Credit
Free Stur Antioxidant Water Enhancer After Rebate

 

Deals:

PLAYMOBIL Back to the Future Hoverboard Chase ONLY $18 (Reg $45)
Blue’s Clues & You! Clean-Up Time Play Set ONLY $18 (Reg. $42)
Blues Clues Wooden Pull-Back School Bus ONLY $11.62 (Reg. $27)
Barbie Dreamtopia Slime Mermaid Doll ONLY $12 (Reg. $20)
Armor All Ultimate Car Care Gift Set ONLY $22.88 (Reg. $36.36)
Decorate Your Own Wooden Magnets Craft Kit ONLY $16.35 (Reg $30)
Jergens Shea + Cocoa Butter Body Lotion ONLY $4.87 (Reg. $10.49)
Jay Leno’s Garage Wash & Gloss Set ONLY $29 (Reg. $70)

3/5/2023 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI’m back to Meal planning on Sundays. We receive and email on Saturdays from   Yasukochi Family Farms letting us know roughly what will be in our CSA box that is delivered on Monday afternoon.

Sunday I tend to prep proteins, make a batch of soup (incorporating a majority of the leftover veggies from that week’s CSA box), take stock of the pantry, fridge, and freezer, and lay out our basic meal plan for the week.

We have a lot of soup in the freezer. Like… 6 different types. We’re having a lot of soup this week. Thankfully, it’s soup weather, and everyone enjoys soup.

I’m planning on a few batches of roasted veggies to be served throughout the week as well.

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 every day and the littlest buys her lunch at school about half the time. In California, all public schools provide breakfast and lunch for free.

Dinner: We’ve got Soup several times for dinner, which is great. All I have t0 do is take it out to defrost the morning of!  And I have one Dream Dinner remaining, so we’ll be having it this week as well.

  • Sunday:  Leftovers
  • Monday: Dream Dinner, roasted veggies

  • Tuesday:  Soup and Cheese Toast

  • Wednesday: Nuggets, fruit, crackers, and cheese (the typical Wednesday night dinner)

  • Thursday: Soup, roasted veggies, toast

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Salad Bar Night

Recipe: Cold Peanut Noodles

Abby H.

I saw this on TikTok the other day, and while digging through the cupboard this morning, looking for ingredients for other meal prep stuff, I realized we had all the ingredients.

We had 2 bunches of scallions, and I wasn’t sure what to do with them, thankfully, this recipe is perfect for scallions. I also shelled the basket of peas we had from our CSA box and cut a carrot into matchstick size pieces.

The best part about this recipe is adding more sriracha if you love spicy noods. If you are a wuss like me, just a pinch will do.

Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of spaghetti noodles, cooked per package directions
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
  • 1 cup julienned carrots
  • 2 bunches of scallions/green onions
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup olive or avocado oil
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter (I used smooth, but chunky is good too)
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce (more if you like it spicy)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds

Directions:

  1. While the noodles are cooking, combine soy sauce, oils, peanut butter, sugar, sriracha, fish sauce, and sesame seeds in a mixing bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
  2. Dice/chop veggies and set aside.
  3. When the noodles are cooked to your liking, drain and rinse. Add to the sauce and coat.
  4. Add in the veggies, and toss to coat. Serve at room temperature or store them in a closed container for 4-6 hours to allow flavors to meld. This salad is good hot, cold, or at room temperature.

This is great as a side salad, or top it with grilled chicken breast and serve with a side of rice and green salad topped with miso dressing to make a tasty meal.

This salad will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days (if it will last that long).

If you need a crunch on your salad, top with a few teaspoons of diced peanuts.

 

2/17/2023 Friday Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

My throat is still very scratchy, and I have a raspy voice. But I made it through the week, and I’ve got freebies galore to share!

The 2023 Birthday Freebie post is here! Make sure to check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

 

Freebies:

Free SkinTe Collagen Sparkling Tea at Select Stores
Free 4pk of NotCo Plant-Based Milk
Free Violife Vegan Cheese at Walmart
Free Bamba Peanut Butter Puffs
Free YSL Beauty Black Opium Le Parfum Sample
Free 6 Months of DashPass for Roku Users
Free Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
Free Faber Multi-Vitamin Moisturizer Sample
Free Rituals Anti-Aging Day Cream Sample
Free Eyebrow Enhancing Pencil
Free Cereal POP Popcorn Fruity Pebbles at Sam’s
Free Tea at McAlister’s Deli
Free Oreo Cookies & Cream Bundlet at Nothing Bundt Cakes
Free AWAKE Chocolate Caffeinated Chocolate Bites
Free Redken Pro Color Gels
Free Sample of WowButter Creamy Peanut Free Toasted Soy Spread
Free Wedding Planning Journal
Free Creed Movie for Xfinity Rewards Members
Free Black Heritage Art Craft Event at Michaels
Free Dr. Brown’s Baby Products
Free Starry Soda After Cashback
Free $20 Stitch Fix Credit
Free Dermoplast 3-in-1 Medicated First Aid Cloths Sample
Free Darphin Paris Intral Inner Youth Resue Serum Sample
Free Clean Power My City T-Shirt & Stickers
Free Nailtopia Nail Product Every Month
Free Tootsie Rolls at Select Stores
Free Sample of Zignature Dog Food
Free Sample of New Skin Kids Liquid Bandage Paint
Free Thinful Sea Salt Caramel at Sam’s

Deals

Walgreens Winter Clearance 90% Off
Kids Pajamas as low as $7
Barbie Dreamtopia Unicorn Doll ONLY $5 (Reg. $10.99)
OMG Accessories and Backpacks 70% Off
Minnie Mouse Lipgloss ONLY $4.99 (Reg. $11.19)
Macy’s Toys up to 80% Off
KidKraft Super Model Wooden Dollhouse ONLY $46.43 (Reg. $140)
Clinique High Impact Lash Amplifying Serum ONLY $15 (Reg. $49)
Disney Princess Dresses as low as $11
Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Dress Up Set ONLY $14.90 (Reg. $33)
Walmart Furniture up to 70% Off
Frozen 2 Surprise Celebration Playset ONLY $10.42 (Reg. $19.14)