food

Weekly Meal Plan Posts are Back!

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI tried y’all.

After seven months, it’s time to bring back the weekly meal plan post. And it’s to hold myself accountable. Everyone’s been fed, so that’s not the problem. The problem lies in that unless I have something staring me in the face saying, “Hey, this is what you’re eating tonight!!” I will just ignore that and graze like a raccoon. Everybody’s fed. The kids always have a nutritious dinner, but I will just stand in front of an open cupboard and eat crackers out of a box. Or I will eat a cheese stick and handfuls of greens like it’s dinosaur time.

So my hope is that when I  write out this whiteboard weekly meal plan, I will hold myself to it.

The whiteboard has been repurposed yet again, and it’s ready for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Breakfast: We tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee and a bagel.

Lunch: M-F I pack myself and the kids’ lunches. I bring 5 lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the fridge. I pack the kids lunches each night before bed, except for the cold stuff and ice pack- those I put in when I get up in the morning.

Dinner: This week, for dinner, I chose some easier options to ease back into meal planning.

Now that it is fall and it is officially soup time (even though it’s like 90° outside most of the time) I will be making a big batch of soup once a week, so I will have soup for lunches and for dinner at least one to two nights during the week. This week’s soup is Zuppa Toscana. I also have a casserole planned for this week.

I love me a good old-fashioned casserole, and so does the little one. The big one not so much, but he’ll drink a smoothie any day of the week, so I’m not terribly concerned about him not getting something nutritious in his belly.

  • Sunday:  Soup and fruit salad
  • Monday: Pizza, Pasta, and Salad

  • Tuesday: Chicken, Rice, & Broccoli Casserole with Cheese Toast

  • Wednesday:  Sandwiches or Smoothies

  • Thursday: Quesadillas, Beans & Rice

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza and fruit salad

September 2025: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

Abby H.

 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 usually receive 4-6 offers/freebies per month, sometimes more if I have time to shop. And most of the time it’s full-size products, not just a tiny sample.

In addition to the offers where they mail you a coupon for a free product, Social Nature has started offering 100% cash-back, similar to Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. I love this because I can select exactly what I want, Social Nature tells me which local stores have it, and I can add it to my next shopping list.

And it’s just as easy as Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. Snap a pic and upload it. You can select Venmo, Paypal, or an Amazon Gift Card for your rebate.

Here are just a few of the Free/100% Cashback offers available now:

  • Dairy-Free Cheese by Daiya Foods
  • Gluten-Free Snack Foods by Feel Good Foods
  • Mental Performance Shots by Magic Mind
  • High Protein Pasta Case by BRAMI
  • Soft Baked Fibre Snacks by Good to Go
  • Shots: Energy/Focus/Relax by RYDE
  • Premium Cold Brew Coffee by Cameron’s Coffee
  • Gorgie Sparkling Energy Drinks
  • Wild Tuna in Olive Oil by Rio Mare
  • Gluten-Free Cookies by Schär
  • Crumbled Tajín Feta Cheese by Athenos
  • Meatless Breakfast Patties by Nature’s Fynd

4000 Points just for sharing Fetch Rewards!

Abby H.

It’s back! Fetch Rewards is hooking us up with points out the wazoo! Earn an extra 4,000 points when you invite a friend to Fetch and they snap a receipt. Head to the app and share your referral code now through 09/03/2025.

I cash out my Fetch Rewards points for gift cards that help me stretch my budget- grocery stores, Amazon, even Bath and Body Works!  I’ve cashed out about $40 in rewards in 2025. I’ve been doing a lot more shopping at Aldi, so I don’t usually score the extra points for buying name brands, but every little bit helps.

Signing up is quick and easy if you aren’t already using Fetch Rewards! You learn more when you check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it and scan any receipt, use my code ND2TB when you sign up, and you’ll score 2,000 bonus points. I scan all of my receipts (grocery, mass merchandiser, gas receipts, restaurants, you name it) and take advantage of extra point offers- the points really rack up!

Fine Print:

In order for you to qualify for the increased referral bonus, your friends must enter your referral code and complete a valid receipt now through 11:59 PM CDT on 9/3/2025. After 11:59 PM CDT on 9/3/2025 the referral bonus will expire.

Your custom referral code can be found in the app under My Account.

 

Dollar Tree Via UberEats!

Abby H.

Have you heard that you can order Dollar Tree via UberEats? I checked it out and it’s true. Same in-store prices, just pay the UberEats fee and you can shop Dollar Tree from your phone.

Order essentials from Dollar Tree with Uber Eats and get same-day delivery, that’s pretty sweet! And I found a coupon code in my email to share! Use code DOLLAR10 for $10 off orders over $30. Valid until 9/30/2025. Restrictions apply.

And if you aren’t sure what’s a good buy at Dollar Tree, check out my Top 10 Grocery Items from Dollar Tree here. 

Don’t Forget the Fine Print:
Expires 9/30/2025. $10 off Dollar Tree orders of $30+ on Uber Eats. Taxes and fees still apply. Order min before taxes and fees. Must apply promo code in app before completing order. Cannot be combined. Valid only in US where Uber Eats is available. Exclusions may apply. See app for details.

Prices and selection may vary by store and online. Quantities are limited to stock on hand. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

Stocking up on Beverages for less with Cash Back Apps!

Abby H.
All of these drinks were free after rebates.

Last night I did a little rebate shopping. I went to Target and Sprouts, and it took less than 20 minutes between the two stores.

I’ve a beverage girl. I need at least 2 beverages at all times. One is water, but the second one needs to be functional. So, a protein coffee, a vitamin, or an electrolyte drink.

Recently, my favorite apps,  WeStock,  Social Nature, and Aisle all have had great rebates and deals on beverages and snacks.

The only one of these drinks I’ve had before was the Trip Calming beverage, and it was really good. I’m not a big adaptogen/mushroom person, but it was not at all earthy/mushroomy.

These drinks, the Heywell and Stur, were buy one, get one free. And since I need some back-to-school beverages, I picked them up. The Sturs will go into my lunch box, and the Heywells will get stashed in the fridge at work for mornings when I need a little extra pick-me-up.

If you haven’t checked out WeStock,  Social Nature, and Aisle yet, now is a great time. There are tons of offers available, and reimbursement is super easy and can be done from your phone in a matter of minutes.

These apps allow me to treat myself to something new and fun without breaking the bank. I pay with my Venmo debit card, and all of the apps pay via Venmo, so I’m able to roll my rebate money forward.

Fetch Rewards: 4000 Points for Every Referral through Tonight!

Abby H.

Woo Hoo! Fetch Rewards is hooking us up with points out the wazoo! Earn an extra 4,000 points when you invite a friend to Fetch and they snap a receipt. Head to the app and share your referral code now through 08/10/2025.

I cash out my Fetch Rewards points for gift cards that help me stretch my budget- grocery stores, Amazon, even Bath and Body Works!

Signing up is quick and easy if you aren’t already using Fetch Rewards! You learn more when you check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it and scan any receipt, use my code ND2TB when you sign up, and you’ll score 2,000 bonus points. I scan all of my receipts (grocery, mass merchandiser, gas receipts, restaurants, you name it) and take advantage of extra point offers- the points really rack up!

Fine Print: In order for you to qualify for the increased referral bonus, your friends must enter your referral code and complete a valid receipt now through 11:59 PM CDT on 08/10/2025. After 11:59 PM CDT on 08/10/2025 the referral bonus will expire.

Your custom referral code can be found in the app under My Account.

Recipe: Southwest Chipotle Dense Bean Salad

Abby H.

Our Yasukochi Family Farms CSA box arrived on Monday, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to incorporate a bunch of the veggies into a dense bean salad.

Last night I was struck by inspiration, and I got to chopping.

This salad came together in less than 15 minutes, and it’s so good. I’ll be having it for lunch for the next few days.

 

Chipotle Dense Bean Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 purple onion, diced and soaked in ice water
  • 2 small cucumbers, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large tomato, chopped into bite-sized pieces and deseeded
  • 1 bell pepper (I used green, use whatever you’ve got), diced
  • The corn from 1 ear of corn
  • 1 15 oz. can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Chop the veggie ingredients and combine in a mixing bowl.
  2. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of dressing (recipe below), toss salad, and add in cheese cubes.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

Chipotle Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 3 T. Honey or agave syrup
  • 1/2 cup olive oil (or your favorite neutral oil)
  • 2 chipotle peppers (from a can in adobo sauce)
  • 3 T. adobo sauce
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced (or the equivalent in jarlic)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. In a blender or food processor, add all of the ingredients and blend until smooth.
  2. Store the unused portion in the fridge for up to a week.

The nice part about this salad is that it easily made vegan by swapping honey for agave syrup, and omitting the cheese or swapping in a vegan cheese substitute.

The salad is naturally Gluten Free and vegetarian.

Father Joe’s Villages Food Pantry- Every Friday!

Abby H.

If you are closer to downtown San Diego, this food pantry is a great option for you.

Stop by Father Joe’s Food Pantry every Friday for drive-thru or walk-in pickup at 3350 E Street, San Diego, CA 92102 (rear warehouse of St. Vincent de Paul Village).

This Food Pantry is open from 12pm-2pm every Friday.

Helpful Tip: Bring a basket with wheels, a bike with a basket, or a vehicle to help carry your items. 1 visit per household per day. Service is located at the back of the building—look for the warehouse!

For more free food resources in San Diego, check out my food resource page here. 

Back to School Haircuts and Supplies 8/9/2025!

Abby H.

It’s back!

The Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation’s biggest event is back!

Saturday, August 9, 2025

9AM -1PM at Skyline Church in La Mesa11330 Campo Road La Mesa, CA 91941

It’s the annual Back-to-School Haircut Event — a day dedicated to supporting local families with free haircuts, school supplies, food, and fun.

Last year’s event was a huge success. Over 1,000 kids attended, and more than 400 walked away with fresh haircuts — ready to start the school year with confidence.

This year, It’s even bigger and better. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Free school supplies for students

  • Free haircuts for kids

  • Free tickets to local attractions — including Padres games

  • Live DJ, games, and kids’ activities

  • Free food for the whole family

This is a first-come, first-served event — so be sure to arrive early and enjoy the festivities while supplies last.

​

August 2025: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

Abby H.

 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 usually receive 4-6 offers/freebies per month, sometimes more if I have time to shop. And most of the time it’s full-size products, not just a tiny sample.

In addition to the offers where they mail you a coupon for a free product, Social Nature has started offering 100% cash-back, similar to Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. I love this because I can select exactly what I want, Social Nature tells me which local stores have it, and I can add it to my next shopping list.

And it’s just as easy as Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. Snap a pic and upload it. You can select Venmo, Paypal, or an Amazon Gift Card for your rebate.

Here are just a few of the offers available now:

  • Meatless Breakfast Patties by Nature’s Fynd
  • Gluten-Free Pasta by GOODLES
  • Gorgie Sparkling Energy Drinks
  • PURE Coconut Water by ZICO
  • Deluxe Mac & Cheese by GOODLES
  • Mental Performance Shots by Magic Mind
  • Organic Kombucha by Humm Kombucha
  • Italian Protein Pasta by BRAMI
  • Gluten-Free Cookies by Schär