kids

Free DJ Classes from Bach to Rock

Abby H.

Have you heard of Bach to Rock? It’s a fun music school with locations all over the country and there are a few locations in San Diego county. Kids as young as 3 can learn to play a variety of instruments.

Right now, the Encinitas location is offering a Free DJ mixing class for kids 10+. Join Bach to Rock for a free trial of DJ Mixing! Get back in the groove Mondays from 5:00 – 6:00 PM with our awesome new DJ coach, Michael H.!

Learn how to blend, fade, scratch, and mix songs on state-of-the-art equipment and perform with them at local venues around town.

Call us at: (760) 452-2190 for more information or to sign up for this free class.

 

Free back to School offers from Ibotta!

Abby H.2 Comments

 

Hot damn friends! This deal is incredible. Go to your desktop, log on to Ibotta (sign up here if you already haven’t), and unlock these deals redeemable at Target, HEB, or via Shipt if you are an online/app shopper, or in store at Walmart.  These offers expire on 8/31/2021.

 

 

 

 

 

That’s right: Skippy Peanut Butter, Smucker’s Squeeze Fruit Spread, Ticonderoga #2 pencils, Kleenex, Fruit Cups, 5-star notebook, Pink Pearl Erasers, and Nature’s own bread- All for free after Ibotta rebates.

And don’t forget to save your receipt and scan it on Fetch Rewards to earn more points!

7/11/2021 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis week the big kid and I will start going to the gym in the afternoon with my dad. We all need to work off our quarantine chub and strengthen our bodies again.

I’m hoping this week will be more chill, last week was NUTS. I need some time to process and get stuff finished from last week.

The kids have been digging the free school lunches- It’s a great way to encourage them to try new foods. That’s great because the price of groceries has gone up exponentially over the past few months. We’ve been eating less meat to save money, and I’m leaning more on stores that have good deals like Grocery Outlet, and using my cashback apps like Fetch Rewards. I’ve been cashing out Fetch rewards for Target Gift Cards. I’ve been combining the Target Gift Cards with grocery sales and deals in the Target app, and picking up via curbside pick up. It’s a great option if you’ve got kids and you’ve got a busy summer.

And I’ve been getting a lot of really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

The CSA Box arrives tomorrow AM, but they send an email over a few days before with a sneak peek of what’s going into the box. This helps me meal plan for the week.

Veggies and fruit are delivered each Monday by Yasukochi Family Farms CSA. For $25, it’s a great deal. I don’t have to pick anything, go to the store, or carry it upstairs. I can’t go to the store and get the same amount we get weekly for $25. Seriously. It’s a deal. I spend about an hour on Monday afternoon cleaning and prepping veggies for the rest of the week.

I did a little bit of meal prep today: I made a batch of homemade applesauce. It’s been too hot to bake- I may make some drop cookies tomorrow. I also cleaned out the fridge today.

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 have made my own and you can find them for sale here om my Etsy Store.

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: We pick up free school lunches during the summer for the kids, I also 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.

Dinner: 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: Chicken Fajitas Soup (I’ll post a recipe this week)
  • Monday: Breakfast for Dinner (pancakes, bacon, eggs, and fruit salad)
  • Tuesday:  Steak with caramelized onions and red wine pan sauce, baked potatoes, roasted vegetables
  • Wednesday:  Nugget night: Nuggets, crackers, cheese, fruit
  • Thursday:  Chef Salad, Garlic Bread
  • Friday:  Takeout Night
  • Saturday: Leftovers, fruit, salad

Please stay safe you guys!

Talk Back: What are you cooking for dinner this week?

Ch Ch Ch Changes…

Abby H.

Hey friends! If you are a long-time reader, you know that I’ve been talking about upcoming changes for about a month.

Spouse and I are getting a divorce. We are separating, and we’ve told the kids. This means a few things for the blog:

I need to look for more work that pays on a more consistent basis. I love blogging, sharing deals, sharing ways to make and save money, but it doesn’t make a lot of money. Side hustles are fun and a great way to make fun money, but it doesn’t provide enough money to pay the bills.

I’ll be posting as much as I can, and I may be posting more affiliate content to try and make a little more money while I look for employment outside the house. Clicking links in my blog posts is a small way you can help me. Especially the Freebie Friday links. I get paid a few cents for every link you click through on Freebie Friday posts. It’s not a lot, but it can add up. Plus it means cool freebies for you!

I may be posting more information on helping separating or single/divorced parents to help others in my position.

I may be posting more information on helping special needs parents/parents of children on the spectrum.

I am working on some other ways to bring in passive income that I may talk about on the blog as well. I’ve started a Redbubble store– I love journals, and I’m working on a line of my own.

I’ve also started at Etsy store to sell the printables I will be working on. For years I’ve been posting about everyone else’s printables, but using the ones I’ve made myself using various programs and software.

I will probably be posting longer, detailed posts about specific ways to save money.  I may also be sharing more deals and hauls on Social Media. Please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook, if you haven’t already.

I really appreciate my readers and social media followers. Without you, I’m just some weirdo posting photos and shouting into the void of the internet.

Copycat Recipe: Souplantation Cheesy Garlic Foccacia Bread

Abby H.
It’s so good, it practically evaporates.

When my big kid found out that Souplantation (or Sweet Tomatoes, depending on where you live up) had closed permanently due to the pandemic, he cried.

When you have food texture aversions, you rely a lot on your favorite standby foods and restaurants. I was on a mission to try and recreate one of his Souplantation favorites, which was the Cheesy Garlic Focaccia Bread.

I started with my pizza dough base (the recipe can be found here). And here’s where it gets crazy (and by crazy I mean this is not super healthy, so don’t eat it daily). The remaining ingredients are:

  • 1/2 cup melted butter (that’s 1 stick)
  • 2T. granulated garlic
  • 1t. of each of the following: dried rosemary, dried tarragon, dried oregano, dried basil
  • 2cups+ Italian cheese

Directions:

  1. Make dough as directed here. I only let it rise once for this recipe.
  2. While dough rises, combine melted butter, garlic, and herbs. Set aside.
  3. Once the dough is down rising, turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and knead for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  4. Separate dough into two pieces and roll out to fit onto your pizza pan (I use a cookie sheet that is covered in tin foil and sprayed with spray release).
  5. Spread half of the herbed butter onto the dough, top with cheese. Repeat for the other half of the dough.
  6. If there is any butter left, drizzle it over the bread.
  7. Bake at 450 degrees for 11-14 minutes.
  8. Remove from the baking sheet and slice into long skinny pieces to mimic the Souplantation feel.
The garlicky, herby, buttery goodness….
Cheese and more buttery goodness. Into the oven it does!

7/5/2021 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgYesterday we saw family and friends we haven’t seen in over a year. There were lots of hugs and the kids played (and shot archery). There was a lot of good food, and homemade cider. Today is a holiday here in the US. It’s the observance of Independence Day, so there are a lot of places that are closed (including banks and post offices).

The kids have been digging the free school lunches- It’s a great way to encourage them to try new foods. That’s great because the price of groceries has gone up exponentially over the past few months. We’ve been eating less meat to save money, and I’m leaning more on stores that have good deals like Grocery Outlet, and using my cashback apps like Fetch Rewards. I’ve been cashing out Fetch rewards for Target Gift Cards. I’ve been combining the Target Gift Cards with grocery sales and deals in the Target app, and picking up via curbside pick up. It’s a great option if you’ve got kids and you’ve got a busy summer.

And I’ve been getting a lot of really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

We usually get a CSA box on Mondays, but I am skipping this week. We still have a lot of veggies and fruit from last week, and I’ll be using the fruit up this week in a fruit salad, and the veggies will be in our Chef Salad, and the pasta bake (which I’ll be posting a recipe of later this week).

Veggies and fruit are delivered each Monday by Yasukochi Family Farms CSA. For $25, it’s a great deal. I don’t have to pick anything, go to the store, or carry it upstairs. I can’t go to the store and get the same amount we get weekly for $25. Seriously. It’s a deal. I spend about an hour on Monday afternoon cleaning and prepping veggies for the rest of the week.

I’m doing some meal prep today: A batch of cookies, roasting veggies, and cooking bacon in the oven.

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 have made my own and I’ll be posting them for sale in my Etsy Store later this week.

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: We pick up free school lunches during the summer for the kids, I also 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.

Dinner: 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: Family BBQ/potluck dinner.
  • Monday: Chef Salad (We’ve got a lot of salad fixings to eat up)
  • Tuesday:  Breakfast for Dinner (Waffles, bacon, eggs, and fruit salad)
  • Wednesday:  Nugget night: Nuggets, crackers, cheese, fruit
  • Thursday:  Baked Pasta- I’ll be posting the recipe later this week.
  • Friday:  Takeout Night
  • Saturday: Leftovers, fruit, salad

Please stay safe you guys!

Talk Back: What are you cooking for dinner this week?

Tryazon: Positive Coloring T-Shirts by Doodle Tees

Abby H.

We’ve been participating in Tryazon events for three+ years. We’ve gotten to try all sorts of fun toys, games, and food. You can learn more about Tryazon here.

Let your kids’ creativity shine with this new Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, sponsored by DoodleTees!  Doodle Tees is an Interactive Apparel company for kids. They have t-shirts and onsies which come in five different positive designs to encourage self-expression and creativity. Get creative, colorful, and spread joy!

Tryazon has 50 hosting spots open for this opportunity!  Those chosen will receive a party pack with 10 Doodle Tees shirts to showcase, color, and share with friends and family!  Learn more and apply here: https://www.tryazon.com/doodle-tees-spread-the-joy-party/ 

Free Food Resources for July 2021 (San Diego County)

Abby H.

A new month means that it’s time for the monthly update of free food resources in San Diego.

You can still find resources here for Central and East County, and Here for North County.

If you are located outside San Diego County, call 211. If you are not familiar with 211, here is their website and it can point you in the right direction.

San Diego Food Bank Distributions for July 2021 can be found here. Enter your address (or just your zip code) and the map will show you all of the distributions in your area or closest to you. You can filter by the days of the week to find food when you are available. If there is an income requirement/limit to participate, each location/listing will say such.

Neighbor distributions are intermixed with the San Diego Food Bank Distributions, however, they have no income requirements, and you come as you are. These Distributions are primarily fruits & veg, however, some locations may also distribute canned goods, dairy, and bread.

Super Pantry Locations can be found here (this listing is countywide). The San Diego Foodbank website also has resources for Diaper banks, free food resources for seniors, and more.

Here is my 2021 Free Summer Lunch for kids post. It’s got all sorts of great info on where and when to pick up free lunches for kids all summer long.

If you know of other resources, please leave a comment! And feel free to share this post with anyone you may know in need.

Tryazon: Unlock You and Your Kids Curl Potential

Abby H.

We’ve been participating in Tryazon events for three+ years. We’ve gotten to try all sorts of fun toys, games, and food. You can learn more about Tryazon here.

Now you and your kids can have happy, healthy curls with Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, from Curl Keeper. Kinder Curls is all your child needs to detangle, define and soften curly hair. Curl Keeper products are designed for every curly head, in all weather and conditions. Curl Keeper products moisturizes, defines and cleanses hair to keep your gorgeous curls for 3-5 days straight without having to re-wash hair!

Tryazon has 100 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack valued at $125+ with a variety of Curl Keeper products to share with friends and family!

Learn more and apply here: https://www.tryazon.com/kinder-curls-mommy-and-me-party/

 

Have Your Hot Girl Summer on a Budget

Abby H.

I’m sure by now everyone has heard the phrase “Hot Girl Summer”, but do you know what it means? The phrase can be traced back to a Megan Thee Stallion song a few years ago.

On Twitter, she explained: “Being a Hot Girl is about being unapologetically YOU, having fun, being confident, living YOUR truth, being the life of the party, etc.”

A couple of my friends have embraced it, and I think that it’s a pretty amazing outlook to have, especially since last summer was, well, Sad Trombone Noise? I know the kids are looking forward to having fun, more adventures, and getting out of the house. Here are a couple ways I’m bringing Hot Girl Summer (and sharing it with the fam).

New Bathing Suits. Kids grow, but what about me? Well after having the same swimsuits for 3 years, it’s time. Especially since we swim daily.  I bought a few new suits from Amazon. Since I’m fair-skinned I picked up one with long sleeves, the kids tease me about working at SeaWorld. This is just one of the many suits I’ve got. It’s perfect for prime sun time.

 

New Pool Bag and New Pool Toys. Every Summer it seems, we need new pool toys and a new pool bag. The Chlorine wrecks our bag (which is mesh- this helps the pool toys dry quickly), and daily use of toys leaves them.. wrecked. Dollar Tree has a great selection of sturdy pool toys, including inflatables for kids (We have a cool cookie ring that has a “bite” taken out of it). For me, I picked up a sweet inflatable float pool chair. 

Plans to meet up with friends. Now that most people have access to the vaccine, getting together with friends is a lot more feasible. We are still limiting ourselves and staying away from large gatherings where we don’t know everyone, but dinner and drinks with friends sound amazing. I’m hosting dinners a couple times a month over the summer for a few reasons: 1. To keep all of our costs down (Dinner out with drinks costs $$$ these days), and honestly, I don’t feel super safe going out for dinner all that often, especially now that there are no mask regulations in our state. And I’m having a weekend getaway with some girlfriends in a few weeks. I am really looking forward to a weekend away in a vacation rental doing a whole lot of nothing!

Take Advantage of the season: What does that mean? Summer has all sorts of fun advantages: Long days, Amazing fruit and veggies are in season, nice weather. Spend time outside (poolside, at the beach, exploring nature), enjoy a big bowl of fruit salad, make a huge salad! Community events are starting to come back (with limited event sizes), and there are lots of free events throughout the summer. EventBrite is a great place to find community events.

Make Time for You: I know… So many blogs and social media tell you to get self-care time and spend time doing things that you love, but as a parent, it can be hard without staying up late or waking up before dawn. Finding a sitter can be tough too. It’s ok to lean on family and friends. The past year has been exponentially tough on parents, and you need time to yourself. Swap child care with friends, or if you want to have a night out, split the cost of a sitter. Your kids can hang out together, while you and your friends get some time away.

Take Care of Yourself: And I don’t mean the stereotypical self-care of putting on a mud mask and drinking water with lemon slices. That’s fun, but I mean the simple acts that we often overlook as caregivers.

  • Sunscreen for your face and any exposed areas when you’ll be outside for more than 10 minutes during peak sun hours (usually 10am-4pm). Don’t forget the tops of your ears. Being super fair-skinned I also wear a sun hat too. Not super sexy, but I don’t want skin cancer.
  • Take something to drink with you. I know most of you pack snacks for your kids when you leave home, but take a few extra minutes to make yourself something that you like (bonus if it’s a snack that your kids do not like- No sharing!), and fill your water bottle. This is the water bottle I use. If you like fruit-infused water, bottles like this are great.  You can also opt for an infuser to go into your favorite bottle or insulated cup.
  • Find Something to Keep You Occupied.  Besides your kids. Pick up a book, grab a craft kit (I like embroidery- it’s easy and portable), Craftsy has some cool online classes to get you started.

I’d love to hear about how you are bringing Hot Girl Summer. Leave a comment below!