3/5/2023 Weekly Meal Plan

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

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

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)

2/11/2023 Weekly Freebies and Deals!

I’m sick y’all. I have a sore throat. I can’t speak. I think I might have gargled hot asphalt. I lose my voice about once every few years- I guess it’s my time.

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 Sample of Decorte Liposome Repair Serum
Free Dude Wipes at Sam’s
Free Member’s Mark Coffee Pods at Sam’s
Free Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream Sample
Free Sour Patch Kids at Select Stores
Free We Stand Together Bracelet, Pin & Window Cling
Free Dior Capture Totale Le Serum Sample
Free Vote Vets America’s Military Sticker
3 Free Magazine Subscriptions
Free Violife Vegan Cheese at Select Stores
Free Costa Coffee Flat White Ready To Drink Iced Coffee
Free Watercolor Heart Frame Craft Event at Michaels
5 Free Wings at Wing & Rings on Sunday
Free Welch’s Juicefuls A Burst of Joy Chatterbox Kit
Free Hartz Home Protection Odor Eliminating Dog Pads
Free Custom Fido Alert Pet ID Tags
Free Anti-Friction Body Powder
Free ThermaCare Heatwrap
Free Sample of La Roche-Posay Toleriane UV SPF Moisturizer
Free Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Fragrance Sample
Free NotCo Plant-Based Burger Patties
Free Medium Coffee at Dunkin in Greater Philadelphia Area
Free Biore Hydrocolloid Acne Patches
Free Coffee or Tea at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Free Verb 10th Anniversary Ghost Oil
Free Mezcla Plant-Based Protein Bars
Teachers – Free Art in the Classroom Posters
Free Small Plate at California Pizza Kitchen
Free Air Wick Essential Mist Starter Kit at Walmart
Free Pepsi Zero Sugar After Rebate
Free Duffle Bag for DSW VIP Members
Free Panda or Sloth Valentine at JCPenney -This Saturday
Free Tiny Tate’s Bake Shop Cookies at Publix
Free Sample of Nexwear Pads

Deals:

Alex and Ani up to 70% Off
Scoop Women’s Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater ONLY $8 (Reg. $34)
Olaplex Hair Products Buy 2 Get 1 Free + Extra Coupon
Smarter Biotin 5000mcg 2pk ONLY $2.26 (Reg. $22.26)
Reebok Walkawhile Women’s Shoes ONLY $26.99 (Reg. $60)
George Men’s Synthetic Pull On Short ONLY $4 (Reg. $15.98)
Little Tikes Cozy Ice Cream Truck ONLY $62.99 (Reg. $119.99)
Kate Spade Mulberry Street Lise Satchel ONLY $89 (Reg $379)
Hair Biology Hair Care ONLY $6 (Reg. $9.99)
Cuisinart 12pc Knife Set ONLY $14.99 (Reg. $50) + Free Shipping

2/4/2023 Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Yesterday was my birthday, and I got to celebrate with my kiddos and mom. I had dinner with a friend, and in true Gen X style, we went to the mall after dinner.

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 Blue Buffalo Bluephoria Treats Chatterbox
Free Terra Origin Nutraceutical Supplements & Powder Samples
Free Starburst at Select Stores
Free BIC EasyRinse Razors at Walmart After Cashback
Free Llama Stickers
Free Super Bowl LVII Prep Party Weekend Event at Lowe’s
Free Gratsy Box
Free Pitaya Foods Jackfruit Bite-Sized Pieces
Free Joyce Meyer Talk It Out Journal
Free Sample Pack of Vitafol Ultra Prenatal Vitamins
Free Drinks at Panera
Free Duffle Bag for DSW VIP Members
Free Sample of Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
Free Froyo at TCBY on Feb. 6th
Free Zyfe Soap Sample
Free Box of Cure Hydration at Walgreens After Rebate
Free Subscription to Harper’s Bazaar Magazine
Free Pitaya Foods Watermelon Bite-Sized Pieces
Free 3-Pack of Aqulius Safety Glasses
Free Lollipops
Verizon Up Rewards – 100 Free Starbucks Stars
Free Mush Overnight Oats at Sprouts
Free Happy Hippo Kratom Sample
Free 30-Day Sample of Ubiquinol CoQ10 Softgels
Free Moonshot Organic Crackers
Free Pizza from 7-Eleven for the Big Game on 2/12
Free Cannabiva CBD Sample
Free Goodles Mac & Cheese
Free RESPAWN by 5 Gum at Circle K After Rebate
Pork Products Class Action Settlement
Free Museum Admission – Bank of America/Merril Lynch Cardholders
Free Cheez-It Puff’d at Sam’s
Free Michel Germain Sexual Noir Eau de Parfum Sample
Free Pitaya Foods Avocado Bite-Sized Pieces

 

Deals

Disney Princess Kid’s Tent ONLY $26.97 (Reg. $50.98)
Dr. Brown’s Newborn Gift Set ONLY $69.99 (Reg. $99.99)
Battery Daddy Storage Case & Battery Tester ONLY $9.99 (Reg $20)
VTech Pop-a-Balls Push Bulldozer ONLY $15.49 (Reg. $27.99)
Crayola Sprinkle Art Shaker ONLY $16.06 (Reg. $26.19)
Cadet Gourmet Triple Chews ONLY $1.81 (Reg. $6.50)
Sweet Seams Soft Rag Doll Minnie Mouse Set ONLY $5.72 (Reg. $20)
70% Off Muk Luks ONLY $9.99

National Soup Day is February 4th!

February 4th is National Soup Day! This is probably one of my favorite days of the year.

Soup is an inexpensive, filling meal. It works with any dietary restrictions, and you can cook it on the stove or in a crockpot.

Here are just a few of my favorite soup recipes:

Veggie Soup 
Chicken Fajitas Soup 
Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup
Potato Cheese Soup
Hearty Veggie Soup
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Veggie Tuscan Soup
Homemade Chicken Soup
Zuppa Tuscana Soup CopyCat Recipe
Chicken Corn Chowder
Roasted Onion and Caramelized Onion Bisque
Butternut Squash Bisque
Beef Stew
Harvest Veggie Ravioli Soup

Recipe: My Favorite Pasta Salad!

In my recent post about hosting a mermaid-themed party, I mentioned that we will be serving pasta salad.

One of the things that I love about pasta salad is that it’s so flexible.

Basically, all you need is a pound of pasta (your choice) cooked per package directions, drained, and rinsed. After that, whatever you add is up to you.

  • I use 1 cup of dressing to start. Usually, I use zesty Italian-type dressing, but if you are a pesto lover, 1 jar/can of pesto and a few tablespoons of your favorite oil (I like avocado oil) is excellent. Red or green pesto, whatever your preference is. If you are serving vegetarians, avoid red pesto because it contains anchovies.
  • 1 cup of diced cheese- Mozzarella, or mozzarella pearls, or cut up a couple string cheese sticks.
  • 2 cups vegetables, cut into bite-size pieces.  Bell peppers, broccoli, black olives, tomatoes (either grape or cherry), and fresh, shelled peas are some of my favorites.
  • Optional, but tasty: a bunch of fresh basil, cut into ribbons (chiffonade).

Mix all ingredients together, and store in a tightly closed container for at least 4-6 hours prior to serving.

This recipe serves about 8-10 as a side dish, less as a main dish. If you need to add meat to this, as a can or 2 pouches of chunk tuna, drained and rinsed.

Planning a Mermaid/Under the Sea Themed Party? Dollar Tree To The Rescue!

I’m working on planning a mermaid-themed party for a certain little girl in my house. Thankfully, Dollar Tree has some great supplies on the cheap! These are available in-store and online.

First off, check out these cool iridescent shell-shaped eggs. Perfect for hiding candy or tiny gifts like bracelets or rings. In the store, there are a lot of beaded necklaces, like there.

There are mermaid-themed party paper goods too. Plates, cups, and napkins. One thing I love about Dollar Tree is that with the rising costs of everything, I’m able to host cute themed parties and stay on budget.

I’m loving these cute mermaid buckets, they would be great for goodie baskets. If you aren’t sure what to put in them, I’d suggest mermaid facial masks, nail polish in “mermaid” colors- there are tons of colors in stores, mermaid tail shaped hand soaps,  Nail art sets, nail files (there are ocean/mermaid themed ones in the stores, and bath bombs- some stores have mermaid tail-shaped bath bombs. All locations have bath bombs in various scents and sizes.

Don’t forget to hit up the home decor area to look for beach, ocean, and mermaid themed signs.

As for snacks and menu, we’ll be serving:

  • Strawberry lemonade, complete with frozen strawberries (available in the stores) as our beverage.
  • Cold Pasta Salad using shell pasta (recipe is forthcoming)
  • Goldfish crackers
  • Fresh Fruit cut into star shapes- Watermelon, pineapple, apple (with a hole cut in the middle where I remove the apple core)

I love using the plastic “crystal” serving ware from Dollar Tree too. It makes the party look fancy, without worrying about little hands breaking anything special or vintage.

And for those wondering, we only invite 4-6 of Bitty’s good friends to parties. I can’t have a house full of 20+ kiddos. My neighbors would never forgive me. We may have a viewing of The Little Mermaid while we eat.

And of course, I’ll be making invitations on Canva for free, saving the image as a PDF, and either printing them out to hand out or emailing them to friends parents/guardians.

2023 Birthday Freebies!

I’ve been working on this list off and on for over a month. The birthday freebies are starting to trickle into my inbox. Sadly, there aren’t many additions this year, and there are more than a few previous offers/deals that are no longer available.

Remember to read the fine print for these offers. Most of them are for adults, ages 18+ (19 in some states). Some offers require the coupon/offer be printed out, and some you can just show your phone.

This guinea pig is ready for some freebies.

First off, if you live in CA, OR, FL, NY, SC, AZ, WA, and NV, check out  eBirthdayClub. There are TONS of great freebies on this site.

Non-food Birthday Goodies:

Free Food Birthday Goodies:

  • Roundtable Pizza: Download their app, sign up for their rewards, and they will add a free personal pan pizza and 20 oz soda for your birthday (Received in 2023)
  • Red Robin:  FREE burger on your birthday and all the latest Red Robin news.
  • Rubio’s   Free plate/combo (You have to download their app)
  • Del Taco  Free Shake (You also get something free when you sign up!)
  • Starbucks – Download their app and get a free birthday handcrafted beverage of your choice on your birthday only.
  • Baskin Robbins– Download their app, and you can receive a small scoop of ice cream for your birthday.
  • Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream – Free single scoop.
  • Sonic Drive-in: Free Medium beverage.
  • Denny’s: Free Grand Slam for your Birthday. They also email out other freebies and coupons.
  • IHOP: Free Meal (It varies by year) on your birthday.
  • Arby’s Birthday Club: Offers a “surprise” it changes each year.
  • Dunkin Donuts Birthday Club will kick down with a free coffee.
  • Bj’s Brewhouse Rewards members receive a free Pizookie for their birthday.
  • Jersey Mike’s: Free Sub for your Birthday! (No matter what you read online, there is no Subway or Submarina birthday Freebies- Those deals are DEAD)
  • Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: When you sign up for a Smile-age Account, you’ll score a free Fro Yo for your B-day!  (I love Menchie’s!) Received in 2023
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes: Join their email list and receive a FREE Bundlet on your Birthday. (look for the link at the bottom of their website) Received in 2023
  • Sbarro Rewards Club: Free piece of pizza for your birthday when you purchase a drink. You’ll also get a coupon for a free slice when you sign up.
  • Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt: Free Frozen Yogurt on your birthday.
  • Sprinkles: Get a free cupcake for your birthday when you join the Sprinkles birthday club.
  • Bruegger’s Bagels gives you three free bagels for your birthday. SCORE! Our family eats tons of bagels, so this is a sweet deal.
  • D Z Akins
  • Mary’s Donuts East County peeps know what I’m talking about! Free drink and TWO Donuts!
  • Habit Burger Grill’s CharClub Score a free Charburger on your birthday.  Received in 2023
  • Panera– Sign up for MyPanera and get a free pastry or sweet on your birthday.
  • El Pollo Loco- Sign up for Loco Rewards to get a FREE birthday meal (2pc Chicken Meal or Classic Chicken Tostada Salad.)!

And as always-

There are tons of other birthday freebie lists, but they may include offers that are not available here or may include stuff that I don’t consider worth it (like a free Rice Krispy treat when you buy an entree that’s $10+, looking at you Noodles & Co.  That’s a hard pass from me, or the Aveda “freebie”- pay $10 and receive a product valued at $23+… No thanks).

Another deal that everyone and their mama go nuts about is Benihana Japanese Restaurant – a complimentary meal up to $30 when you purchase an Adult meal at Regular Price (You must sign up for The Chef’s Table club). This used to be a FREE meal, no strings attached, but it has changed to basically a BOGO. That’s a no go for me, but it may still get you excited.

I have not included Ulta in my list because you have to make a purchase the year previous (and it needs to be a certain amount- I’ve been told different amounts by various Ulta Employees anywhere from $5-$50), so for me, that’s not a freebie. If I have to buy something to receive something, that’s a BOGO deal.

January 2023: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

 If you are into Organic/Natural/Healthy products, then Social Nature is right up your alley. Sign up and apply to sample products that you are interested in. I get probably 1-2 products to sample each month. And most of the time it’s full-size products, not just a tiny sample.

Social Nature has rounded up products that are available to try at a local grocery store or mass merchandiser near you.  Apply to Try the products that interest you to see if you’re a match here.

Here are some of the new sampling opportunities:

Parmesan Crisps by Joyfull Bakery
Cruelty-Free Body Wash by The Seaweed Bath Co.
Premium Sparkling Tea by Sparkling Botanicals
Kids Juice Drink by PLEZI
Plant-Based Milk by Koita Foods
Meatless Nuggets by Quorn Foods
Plant-based Chicken Alternative by Sweet Earth Foods

And More!

And one of the things I love about Social Nature is that they don’t leave our friends with food allergies out.

There are sampling offers for Gluten-free, nut-free, and meat-free foods frequently.

Canadian Friends- You are in luck, there are sampling opportunities for you too! So if you love trying new products, check out Social Nature!