summer

Tryazon: Sparkle your Drinks ANYWHERE with instaFizz!

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.

Add sparkle to your favorite drinks ANYWHERE with this Tryazon Featured Party opportunity from Drinkmate. The instaFizz Stainless Steel Water bottle is the perfect companion for the road, gym, hike, and office and lets you carbonate almost anything, anywhere! Weighs less than a pound and can hold up to 21 oz! Add delicious fizz to any cold beverage with one twist of the bottle. Wrap up summer with a SPARKLE!

Tryazon has 100 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected receive a party pack with a Drinkmate bundle to share with friends and family! Learn more and apply here: https://www.tryazon.com/instafizz-anywhere-party/

Beating the Summer Heat Without Breaking the Bank!

Abby H.

The past few weeks here in Southern California have had some very high temperatures, and it reminds me that we could all use a brush up on our frugal ways to beat the heat.

First of all, if you live in San Diego County check out the cool zone website to find a free place near you to chill out. They are typically places like community centers, libraries, and indoor shopping centers. If you are outside San Diego County, here is a list of all of the California counties and their cool zone sites.

In addition to finding certified cool zones, you can head to cooler areas like the beach, a local swimming pool, or a splash pad. Most beaches have free parking, although state beaches have a nominal fee to park. Community pools and splash pads also have a small admittance fee, although parking is generally free.

Remember to dress for the weather, and that includes floppy hats with wide brims that will keep your head and neck covered, as well as sunscreen if you were going to be outside between the hours of 10 AM-4 PM. Hydration is also very important if you’re gonna be outside in the heat. Water bottles, ice cubes, and frozen packs are all on my summer adventure packing list.

And now finally cooling down your home. We’ve only had a decent AC in our home for two years, prior to that we had the original from when our home with built in the early 80s. We cool our home down by having box fans in the windows each night, and we close the house by 10 AM to keep the cool air inside. We close our blinds and drapes, and we keep the fans going inside the house to circulate the air. We set our thermostat to between 74 and 76°. And because we have a newer AC we use the smart program (it’s an app) that communicates with our thermostat.

This is super important especially if you live in an area where there are wildfires: Set a reminder in your phone or online calendar to change the air filter on your AC once a year or more if you have a wildfire in your area and you’re running the AC. We take advantage of programs like OhmConnect and programs through our local power company (SDG&E). There are programs like FERA, and the Care program that offers discounts off the electric portion of your power bill.  These programs are for lower-income families, or families who need electricity for medical devices.

I make approximately 12 trays of ice cubes each day (are in-freezer icemaker broke about two years ago, and it cost more than a new refrigerator to get it fixed), and we drink a lot of ice water, ice tea, and iced sugar-free beverages daily during the summer. This is the kid’s current obsession. They like it because they can make it themselves in their personal water bottles without any help from mom.

I have become the master at packing weather-appropriate drinks and snacks for when we are on the go when school is out.

Remember that you can increase your water intake by consuming water-rich fruits and vegetables as well. Melons and cucumbers are just two sources of hydration that can also satiate your hunger. Our weekly CSA boxes have been coming with all sorts of delicious cucumbers (both Persian and English) and a variety of melons. I cut them up and stash them in the fridge so the kids can always have a quick, easy snack.

Kids Bowl Free- It’s Back for Summer 2023!

Abby H.

file0001910298986.jpgThis popped into my inbox last night. I’m so glad it’s back.

Looking for something fun, air-conditioned, and cheap to do this summer with the kids?

Kids Bowl Free has been around for years, and it’s a great way to get kids active even when it’s hot outside. I’m so excited it’s back again.

Kids 2-18 can bowl 2 games for free each day the program is running at participating bowling centers all across the US and Canada. All you pay for is shoe rental- or bring your own if you have them!kidsbowlfree_logo-new-2019.jpg

This program is available all over the US and Canada. The complete list can be found here. Sign up is quick and easy. To get started, register here. If you live in San Diego, the only bowling alley participating is Aztec Lanes.

I encourage everyone to take advantage of this deal! It’s one of our favorite summer activities.

Free, Frugal, Fun Adventures for Kids

Abby H.1 Comment

It’s the first day of Summer Break here, and I’ve already got a list of the fun stuff we can do to get the kids off devices and out of the house. I do not want to hear about boredom at all!

This list is very San Diego County-centered, but with a little bit of googling, I’m sure you’ll be able to find fun freebies and adventures near you.

Check with your local shopping mall, many of them offer free events for kids and families during the summer. For those of us in San Diego, Parkway Plaza in El Cajon has a twice-monthly event.

Kids Night Out
  Jun 23rd, 2023
  05:00 pm – 06:30 pm
Kids Night Out is back and better than ever!  The party continues right outside of Ulta Beauty every 2nd and 4th Friday from 5pm-6:30pm, starting in February.
There will be free crafting for kids,  dancing,  games,  giveaways, and more!
Registered guests will be entered to win rotating prize packages. Register here.
In La Mesa, Grossmont Center Mall has events for the entire family from summer concerts to Free Lego Building events.

Looking for Swim Lessons for the Kids- 2023 Edition

Abby H.2 Comments

Summer is here, or will be soon. The kids need to brush up on their skills-I can’t be the only parent looking for information on swim lessons and getting kids’ water ready.

My usual go-to is the swim lessons held at our local high school district, Grossmont Unified High School District. They have lessons for kids ages 3 and up. Schedules and pricing can be seen here.

The City of San Diego has private, semi-private, and group swim lessons at several of its pools. The prices are pretty decent. The prices and more info can be found here.

If you live in El Cajon, you’ve got some really excellent swim lesson options. Visit the Rec Center online here and take a look at all of the classes. Anyone can take classes, but El Cajon residents (of the incorporated city) can get killer discounts.

The Kroc Center offers swim lessons. Information can be found here.

The YMCA offers swim lessons at many of its facilities. Currently, they are offering private/semi-private lessons only. You do not need to be a YMCA member to take lessons there, however, the rate is cheaper if you are. The list of San Diego, CA area YMCAs that offer swim lessons can be found here.

I also did some digging for parents of kids on the Autism Spectrum. Aqua Pros offers classes specially designed for kids on the spectrum! More information and class prices can be found on their website.

These are just a few of the options available. There are of course private swim instructors and private companies that offer private or small group lessons. The ones listed above are for more of the price-conscious in mind.

Talk Back: If you or your kids have had great swim lessons, leave a comment and let us know where! The more options, the better!

2023 Summer Reading Programs (Free!)

Abby H.2 Comments

There are 6 days of school left for my kids, and maybe your’s too.  And you know what that means- keeping kids occupied so we don’t have to hear choruses of, “I’M BORED!” And how do we do that?

Around these parts, both kids go to summer school, but we also take advantage of free and low-cost summer programs. One of my favorites is the Summer Reading Programs that are sponsored by both the City of San Diego Library system, but also the County of San Diego Library system.

The City of San Diego Summer Reading Program started June 1st. You can find out more details here.

The County of San Diego Library summer reading program started June 1st. They have all sorts of prizes for kids and adults.

If you want your family to experience a multicultural world through reading, I  recommend PJ Library.  PJ Library sends free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children from birth through 12 years old.

My kids love learning about faraway places and experiences different from their own. The PJ library books have opened their eyes to new holidays, customs, and ways of life.

Read Conmigo provides free books for kids by mail in Spanish and English to children ages preschool to fifth grade. They are only available to kids in CA, TX, and Florida. We used to receive the books, and they are ok, but my kids aren’t interested in learning Spanish.

Barnes and Noble have a summer reading program starting July 1st. More info here.

Dolly Parton has established the Imagination Library, it is available in select regions (sadly not available in San Diego California), and those who live in participating areas can receive one book for their kids every month via mail.

Book It has a summer program called Camp Book it, where kids can read, and earn free personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut! Book It is the FAVORITE reading program in my house. parents can enroll their kids for the summer!

And if you haven’t done it yet, don’t forget to sign your kids up for the 2023-2024 school year Book It program. Teachers can sign their classes up too!

 

Talk Back: If you know of any other reading programs in the San Diego/Southern California area, please leave a comment!

Shop Mabel’s Labels’ Friends & Family Sale- 20% off!

Abby H.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

I love Mabel’s Labels. Each kid has a set, I have a set (unicorns if you had to know), and we have a family set for our bigger pool toys and camping equipment.

The Friends and Family sale is going on NOW – 4/30/23. You will save 20% OFF select Mabel’s Labels’ products MOST recommended to Friends & Family. And the best part-Enjoy FREE standard shipping on ALL orders with no minimum spend required!

Recipe: The Best Salad Ever

Abby H.

This salad is dead simple. And delicious. And I could probably eat it every day for the rest of my life. I had one last night, and this morning for breakfast.

YES- breakfast salad is a thing.

Let’s get this out of the way: This salad is vegetarian, but it is not vegan. To my knowledge, there is no goat cheese vegan substitute.

The Best Salad Ever

Ingredients:

  • 8 cups of greens (I like Romaine, arugula, endive, radicchio, and a fistful of spinach)
  • 1 cup strawberries, de-stemmed and sliced
  • 1 English cucumber, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 Granny Smith Apple, cut into bite-size pieces (leave the skin on)
  • 1/4 c candied pecans, roughly chopped
  • 4-ounces of goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/8 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Directions:

  1. Toss all ingredients in a large chilled salad bowl- serve ASAP.

This recipe serves 4-6 as a side dish or 2-3 as a main dish. None of these ingredients are hard to find- I picked everything up at Target (I ordered on the app of course, and I did drive up pick up with the kids after school!).

It is really tasty with grilled chicken breast on top.

The Best Potato Salad Recipe- PERIOD!

Abby H.

There are literally hundreds of ways to make Potato Salad. However, none of them should involve raisins (That’s an internet thing, I’ve never actually seen it in person).

This is my great grandmother Tootie’s Potato Salad Recipe, and I think it’s the best. Luckily for me, we’ve gotten all of the veggie ingredients in this week’s Yasukochi Family Farms CSA box.  And because they sell eggs too as an add-on, you can get most everything you need without leaving home.

This recipe is pretty simple.

Tootie’s Potato Salad

Ingredients

  • 4 cups peeled, cut-up potatoes (bite-size pieces)
  • 3 ribs of green celery, cut into bite-size pieces- I slice each rib in half and into small pieces.
  • 1/4 cup Italian Dressing- I like Wishbone
  • 1/2 cup Full Fat Mayo. I like Best Foods/Hellmans, but Dukes is good too
  • 3 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • Chives or parsley to garnish- optional

Directions

  1. Boil potatoes in water until they are fork tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  2. Drain potatoes, do not rinse.
  3. Chill potatoes in the fridge (30 minutes to 1 hour-ish).
  4. In a bowl, combine the salad dressing and mayo, pour over cooled potatoes, and stir. You want to coat the potatoes in the mixture.
  5. Add in the celery and eggs. The egg yolks will break down and combine with the dressing/mayo mixture, turning light to medium yellow.
  6. Chill in the fridge at least overnight. If the salad is too dry, add a few more tablespoons of mayo and dressing (a 2-parts mayo to 1-part dressing mixture).
  7. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Prior to serving top with chives or parsley if desired.

If you like green onions (my mom doesn’t like raw onions so she doesn’t add them), you can add 1-2 sliced green onions to the salad during step 5.  I grew up without it, but they are really good in this salad.

This salad is good in the fridge for up to a week and is perfect for the 4th of July or other summer celebrations.

Dietary options: It’s already vegetarian, but I’m not sure it could be made vegan unless you use veganaise and omit the eggs (in my opinion it needs).

Earn Cash and Giftcards with Ohm Connect!

Abby H.

Screen Shot 2016-08-03 at 5.02.27 PMWe’ve been using Ohm Connect since its inception. It’s a great way for California, Texas, and New York residents to conserve power during heavy usage times, save on your power bill, and earn cash and gift cards.

Texas and New York joined Ohm Connect back in April, but we Southern California residents have been conserving power and saving with Ohm Connect for years! ‘ve been using it since 2016.

And to prove it’s legit, here are screenshots showing that I’ve cashed out $90 to Paypal this month!

And I’ve also cashed out $20 in Amazon Gift Cards this month! I’m saving Amazon Gift cards to do holiday gift shopping later in the year.

Joining Ohm Connect is easy and quick. To get started, click here. You’ll need access to your gas/electric/power account handy, so I recommend doing this at home. And when it’s time to conserve power, you can opt into receiving texts or emails- whichever you prefer. Ohm Connect with contact you the day before to give you the heads up.

Ohm Connect is available to Southern CA residents who have the following power companies: Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric.

In New York, Ohm Connect is available to those with ConEd.

And in Texas, Ohm Connect is available to everyone. 

 

As always,  I only post about products and services I personally use and I feel are a good fit for my family and my readers. Please refer to my disclosure page.