frugal life

Recipe: Cafeteria Noodles

Abby H.

This recipe has been all over social media lately, and for good reason too!

It’s delicious. Easy to make, filling, and pretty inexpensive. It would make an awesome addition to a potluck, to your weekly meal rotations, and the best part is, it reheats really well- if you have any leftovers.

The name comes from the types of noodle dishes served at cafeteria-style restaurants across the south, where the recipe originates.

Ingredients 

Optional but pretty good with the recipe: 2 cups of frozen carrots and peas 

Directions 

  1. In a medium-sized pot bring broth, cream of chicken soup, and better than bouillon to a gentle boil.
  2. Add egg noodles, turn off stove, cover pot with lid. Leave to cook off heat for about 10 minutes. 
  3. After 10 minutes, stir taste, and add salt and pepper as needed. Optional- Add frozen vegetables, and stir to combine. 
  4. Allowed to sit undisturbed for an additional five minutes, stir and taste adjust seasonings as necessary. 

Serves 6 to 8 as a side or 4 to 6 as a main dish. If you want to add a little extra protein, add one cup, of diced or shredded cooked chicken while adding the noodles. 

Both of my kids really liked these noodles, and I took leftovers to work for lunch. Everyone commented how good they smelled.

11/17/2024 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgIt’s our last week of school before Thanksgiving break! It’s going to be chilly this week, so there might be some soups in the future!

With after-school appointments 2-3 days a week, a lot of our meals these days are easy to make and I do most of the prep on the weekends. This weekend I cleaned the fridge, re-organized the freezer and pantry and got a pretty good list of easy meals for this week.

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. I pre-plan my lunches for the week and I take a week’s worth of lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the breakroom fridge.

Dinner: The weather will be cooling down this week, so soup is back on the

  • Sunday:  Asian Chicken Cashew Salad, Garlic bread, smoothies
  • Monday: Homemade pizza, fruit salad (Aldi Pizza crust is GOAT and less than $1.50!)

  • Tuesday: Soup and Grilled Cheese, baked apples

  • Wednesday: Greek Salad with Chicken, Hummus, and pita bread

  • Thursday: Smoothies and bagels

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza and possible cauliflower cheese soup (depending on how many leftovers we have left0

November 2024: 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 get probably 1-2 products to sample each month. 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:

  •  Blake’s Breakfast Bars + Protein
  • Rebbl Protein Shakes
  • Control Period Cramp Relief Cream
  • Lundberg Family Farms 90 Second Organic Rice
  • Cleanery Household Cleaner Refills
  • Vital Farms Organic Restorative Eggs
  • Key All-Natural Energy Drink
  • Gorgie Sparkling Energy Drinks
  • Plezi Kids Juice Boxes
  • VeggieCraft Veggie Pasta
  • Carbe Diem Lower Net Carb Pasta
  • Magic Mind Mental Performance Shots
  • Whoa Dough Gluten-Free Cookie Dough
  • Schär Gluten-Free Breads

JCPenney- Buy 2, Get 2 Free Underwear, Socks, and Bras Sale (Ends today!)

Abby H.

Just in time for winter holiday shopping! Through today only, JCP has underwear, socks, and bras for the whole family on sale. Buy 2, get 2 free.

I just found out and rushed to get pairs in the kids’ current sizes (2 packs) and the next size up (2 packs). Perfect for the holidays (who doesn’t want underwear or socks in their stockings??), or jump on spring shopping by getting the next size up.

The sales end tonight, so if this is something you need, Get to it! I also shopped through MyPoints and earned 550 points, approximately the equivalent of a $3.00 Target Gift Card! To learn more about MyPoints, click here.

An Update…

Abby H.

As you may have noticed, I haven’t been posting much lately. There has been a lot going on, and I’ve been taking time to process it all and help my kids and family. There is a lot of uncertainty in the US, and worldwide. I know my family isn’t the only one who is upset, confused, and scared for all of the unknowns in our future.

I don’t want to leave y’all in the lurch, so I’ve spent the last few days brainstorming and planning, and I’ve got some plans to write and post more information about how each of you can keep afloat during uncertain times.

  • Budgeting, locating and accessing resources, and taking steps to make sure your families have what they need to succeed and thrive in 2025.
  • There will be some New Year’s Resolution posts- I’ve done them before, and I’ll be writing some new ones, as well as linking to previous posts that contain timeless information.  Those will be coming up later next month.
  • I am going to try and post monthly about upcoming clothing swaps- Kids are growing quickly, and clothes are so expensive.
  • More posts about cashback offers and rebate apps to help you stretch your grocery budgets.
  • Money-making opportunities with research studies and surveys. If you haven’t tried these yet, it’s a great way to earn a little extra money.
  • I’m developing recipes that use inexpensive, healthy ingredients that taste good, make good leftovers, and that kids will eat (this one is important).

10/27/2024 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgNow that we are back into the full swing of school, work, and therapies, I feel busy all day from the second my feet hit the floor until my head hits the pillow.

With after-school appointments 2-3 days a week, a lot of our meals these days are easy to make and I do most of the prep on the weekends.

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. I pre-plan my lunches for the week and I take a week’s worth of lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the breakroom fridge.

Dinner: The weather will be cooling down this week, so soup is back on the

  • Sunday:  Soup, grilled cheese, strawberries
  • Monday: Macaroni and cheese, Fruit Smoothies

  • Tuesday: Homemade Pizza and Salad

  • Wednesday: Roasted Veggie Soup, quesadillas, chips

  • Thursday: Whatever we feel like, it’s Halloween!

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

10/27/2024 Weekend Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

Hye friends- I’ve been battling a weeklong headache, so my posting has been nonexistent. I promise that there will be some posts coming up, starting with these freebies and deals.

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:

Score a Free Babylist Hello Baby Box Filled with Samples & Full Sized Products
Babylist Registry Perks – 15% Off & Free Registry Box
Free Vida Mate Yerba Mate at Select Stores
Free Medium Fries at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Sample of La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum
Free GOOD GOOD No Added Sugar Spreads
Free Knife Skills Classes at Williams Sonoma
Spooktacular Halloween Food Deals & Food Freebies You Can’t Miss in 2024: Pizza, Fast Food, and More
Free Valley Mist Pure Lip Balm
Free Gift When You Link Your Ulta Beauty Rewards & Target Circle Accounts
Free Coffee & Donut at Krispy Kreme for First Responders
Free Sample of Stopain Extra Strength Pain Relieving Gel
Free Handcrafted Beverage at Capital One Cafe
Free Treat Buckets at Party City on October 31st
Free LOVO Chocolate Bar After Rebate
Free Candy of Your Choice
Free CLEAN RESERVE Fragrance
Sign up for a Free Healthy Snack Box
Free Order of Cheese Stick Stack at Dave & Buster’s
Free Fries Every Friday at Wendy’s
Free VCF Sample
Free SENSAI Beauty Extra Intensive Series Skincare Samples
Free Day of the Dead Face Painting Events at Stater Bros. Markets
We Found The Best Black Friday and Cyber Week Streaming Deals: 2024 Edition
Free Firecracker Farm Hot Salt Sample
Free Halloween Craft & Costume Party Event at Pottery Barn Kids
Free Oscar Mayer Stuffed Dogs Chatterbuy Kit
Free Belle Aroma Holiday Scented Ornament
Free Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner
Free Clean Age Natural Deodorant After Rebate

 

Deals:

Kate Spade Sadie Crossbody Set Two-in-One ONLY $49 (Reg $249)
Complete Home Sandwich Bags Buy One Get Two Free
Pajamas for the Family From $12 at Old Navy
Garnier Whole Blends ONLY $1 (Reg. $4.99)
Food Network 10-Piece Cookware Set $59.99 After Kohl’s Cash
Premier Comfort Heated Plush Throw ONLY $35 (Reg $100)
Free $20 Target Gift Card with Purchase of $100 of Baby Essentials
Free $10 Gift Card with Purchase of Three Household Products
ionvac SmartClean 2000 Robovac ONLY $79.99 (Reg. $129)
Kitchen Appliances up to 30% Off
Select General Mills Cereal ONLY $1.49 (Reg. $6.29)

Peekage: Try New Products for Free After Rebate.

Abby H.


Y’all know I love a good freebie and a good rebate. Peekage is another company in a long line of companies like  Social Nature and Aisle that offer products for free after rebate. And the process with Peekage is just as simple.

  1. Shop at participating stores. Match with the offer, purchase the product at one of the participating stores, and save the receipt.
  2. Upload receipt. Take a snapshot of your full receipt, and follow the instructions in your confirmation email to upload it before the offer expires.
  3. Get your cash back. Within 72 hours, your receipt will be verified, and you’ll receive an email with your cashback details.

Right now there are offers on some yummy foods, such as:

  • Bellweather A2 Organic Yogurt – 5.3 OZ.
  • Brami Authentic High-Protein pasta 
  • Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup – 32oz 
  • Panera Bread Baked Potato Soup – 32oz
  • Panera Bread Family Mac & Cheese – 28oz Bowl

 

Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

I meant to get this post out earlier today, but I was busy making bracelets. Mom life is rough, y’all.

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 Sample of Moroccanoil Body Polishing Scrub
Free Food & Beverage Products from the Nestle GoodNes Community
Free Sample of IAMS Puppy or Kitten Food
Hidden Valley Ranchology Rewards – Free Samples, Socks, Hat, Tote Bag & More
Free Samples, Coupons & More from Gerber Insiders
Free Original Glazed Donut at Krispy Kreme
Free Belle Aroma ScentWow Aromatherapy Car Fragrance Diffuser
Free M&M’s Delivered to Your Door on Halloween
Free Sample of Amazon Pepper Hot Sauces
Free GORGIE Energy Drinks
Free Crown Royal Military Care Package for Our Troops
Free Chicken Cantina Taco at Taco Bell
Free Rind Dried Fruit Snacks & Mixes
2 Free Outback Steakhouse Boo Baskets
Free Soapbox Skincare Infused Body Wash
Free Sample of Beggin’ Flavor Stix with Bacon & Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Free Go Raw Organic Sprouted Seed Salad Toppers at Walmart After Rebate
Free BelGioioso Ricotta Chatterbuy Kit
Free Dish Soap
Free American Spirit Butt Pouches – Order Every Month
Free Winged Wellness Product at Walmart After Rebate
Free Sample of L’Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer
Free Medium Fries at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free ZOA Energy Drink at Select Stores
Free 25.4 oz. Nutpods Creamer After Rebate
Free Belle Aroma Essential Breeze Portable Aromatherapy Fan Essential Oil Diffuser
Free Digital Postcard with Santa at Spirit Christmas
Free Ghostbusters: Spirit Unleashed Ecto Edition PC Game for Prime Members

 

Deals:

Apple iPad 9th Generation ONLY $199 (Reg $329) – Lowest Price Ever!
Renu Contact Solution ONLY $2.99 (Reg. $8.99)
Cooks 3-Piece Cast Iron Fry Pan Set ONLY $22.49 (Reg $50)
Free Covergirl Perfect Blend Pencil
Amazon Spend $50 Get $15 in Credit on Household Products
Target Store Themed Halloween Costumes as low as $10 & BOGO 50%
Walgreens Super Premium Toilet Paper ONLY $1.99 (Reg $4.99)
Barbie Clothes & Play Sets up to 70% off
Cooks 2-Slice Toaster ONLY $22.49 at JCPenney (Reg $50)
Walmart Beauty Box ONLY $6.98 Free Shipping
Free Covergirl Eye Enhancer Eyeshadow Palette

10/6/2024 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis week is going to be bonks. We’ve got appointments every day this week.  I did a bunch of meal prep today, and we’ll be having a lot of grab-and-go pre-prepped meals as a result.

I’ve also fallen off my more regimented eating plan, and I haven’t been able to get to the gym as much as I’d like lately, so I’m buckling down on my personal food intake and sticking to what I’ve planned only (for myself, we’ve got all kinds of back up meals if the kids aren’t feeling what I had planned).

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. I pre-plan my lunches for the week and take a weeks worth of lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the breakroom firdge.

Dinner: With everything going on this week, meal prepping has been a huge lifesaver.. Hopefully after this next hot spell, we’ll get some more typical fall weather and I can use my crockpot more often!

  • Sunday:  Soup, grilled cheese, fruit salad
  • Monday: Chicken Nuggets, Watermelon slices, chips

  • Tuesday: Fruit Smoothies, bagels with cream cheese

  • Wednesday: Soup, quesadillas, chips, fruit salad – We have a bunch of soups in the freezer!

  • Thursday: Hashbrown breakfast bake- I didn’t have time to do this one last week

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza