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Summer Stuff I love (Grown Up Edition)

Abby H.

Friends- I’ve been working on this post for a few days. I’m not feeling especially summery today (and wasn’t yesterday afternoon either), but I’m hoping to distract you over the weekend, so on Monday we can come together and help our friends and family who will need us in the coming months. I’m spending the afternoon crunching on Sonic ice cubes!

It’s summer, and that means for most parents keeping the kids entertained (or letting them get bored), constantly filling the snack box/drawer, and looking for ways to make sure everyone makes it through the 12 weeks of Summer “vacation” without injury. I use vacation in quotes because it’s not a fun, leisure-filled 12 weeks. Most of us have to work, in addition to balancing all of… this.

BUT- That doesn’t mean that parents can’t have fun or enjoy their time in the summer sun. Here are a few things that I have recently come to love:

Sonic Ice Cubes. They are the little pebble ice cubes. If you don’t have a Sonic near you, or if you are looking for a way to make the perfect Sonic type ice at home, look for a Nugget or Pebble ice maker or ice tray. Walmart has a table top nugget ice maker here.

Electrolyte drinks. Not Gatorade, something better. I know a lot of people like Liquid IV, but this frugal lady likes Hydramate from Dollar Tree and Key Nutrients Lemonade flavor from Amazon. These newer electroylte drinks also have vitamins and other key nutrients that we can sometimes miss out on.

I made a list on Amazon of some of my other favorite things this summer:

  • Good SPF- Gotta take care of your skin. You only get one body!
  • Speaking of SPF, a Long sleeve 1/2 zip swim shirt. They are amazing.
  • Reusable cups with lids – I like the color changing cups.
  • Yoga strap for stretching- especially good after a long day behind the week (or a long day sitting on the floor building legos).
  • After Sun lotion- even if you wear a good SPF, the sun and the sea/pool water can dehydrate your skin.
  • Compression socks- seriously. We walk a lot in the summer, and wearing compression socks has really helped my feet and legs from getting so heavy and tired.
  • These sweet kicks from New Balance. They are my go to shoe for a day full of walking.
  • Beach Towels– JCPenney has a great selection and they are on sale!
  • Cuticle oil. The summer sun is rough on your hands, especially your cuticles. Give them some love.
  • Bermuda Shorts. I’m pale, I’m plus size, and I am not a fan of short shorts. Bermuda shorts cover all of my pale parts. And they make me happy because htey have decent sized pockets.
  • Character popsicles. There are a couiple places in San Diego where you can buy the popsicles that the ice cream man sells in bulk or at a discount. California Ice Cream and Candy in Lakeside (that’s near my house), and Circus Man Ice Cream in National City.  The kids and I hit up our local store each week and drop $20 on Spongebob, TMNT, Tweety Bird, and other popsicles. That’s about 13 or so, and that lasts us about a week! I personally love the Powerpuff Girl ones, they are orange and cherry flavored.

Talk Back: What are your favorite summer essentials?

2 Free Donuts for Dads!

Abby H.

Hey dads! Do you like donuts? If you nodded your head or screamed out, “HELL YES!” This awesome deal is for you!

If you’ve read my past Birthday Freebie posts (the 2022 one can be found here), you’ve seen that I’ve posted birthday freebies from Birthday Club Hub, which works with businesses in eight states to disseminate birthday freebies and other freebies throughout the year to club members (BTW- it’s free to join).

Mary’s Donuts is part of the Birthday Club Hub, and they send out a free offer for moms.

Score 2 free regular donuts on June 19, 2022 at either their Santee or Lakeside Location. Simply show the email to the cashier/friendly donut seller- and don’t forget your kiddos!

Score a Free Taco at Rubio’s!

Abby H.

Thanks to the Padres, we all can score a free taco today at Rubio’s! Any time the Pad’s steal a base at a home game, we win! Valid for 1 a la carte taco with any purchase. Limit 1 per person/account. Valid in the following counties: San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire. Check with your local Rubio’s to verify participation.

Not valid on 3rd party apps. When ordering through the Rubio’s App, use coupon code: GOPADRES

What kind of taco are you getting?

6/3/2022- National Donut Day!

Abby H.

Today is National Donut Day! Did you know there are two donut days?

Ok, so first let’s find out why there are two National Donut Days... Thanks Mental Floss.

Now that we’ve figured out that mystery, it’s onto the free donuts….

There aren’t a lot of free donut deals here in California, but there are some BOGO offers.

And more: National Donut Day Freebies & Deals RoundUp Today June 3rd!

Mother’s Day Freebie: Enjoy lunch at Wienerschnitzel!

Abby H.

Moms, are you getting out tomorrow and looking for a fun freebie?

Wienerschnitzel is hooking us up. Tomorrow, May 8, 2022 head over to Wienerschnitzel and score a free chili dog, free small fries, and free soda.

Proof of motherhood required (Bring your kids, show them a picture, or just mention the MOMLIFE mother’s day deal).

Penzeys: $3.95 for $24.95 Heal the World gift box!

Abby H.

Happy Earth Day Y’all! Penzeys is celebrating with a screaming deal on their Earth Day Gift Box.

This deal is available both in stores or online at penzeys.com, no coupons or codes are needed for the regularly $24.95 Heal the World gift box. This is a great gift box filled with some of the best goodness our Earth has to offer.

The Heal the World Gift Box includes 1/4 cup jar each of Pie Spice, Granulated Garlic, Smoked Spanish-style Paprika, and Northwoods Seasoning. Also includes a Heal the World Magnet and Heal the World sticker.

You can order online and pick it up in-store, if you have a local Penzeys location. In San Diego, there is one in Hillcrest.

Family Recipe: Cindy’s Spinach Salad

Abby H.

This salad is courtesy of my Aunt Cindy. I don’t remember when or where this salad originally came from, but she introduced it into our lives in my youth.

If you don’t like Spinach, you will love this salad.

Cindy’s Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 bag triple-washed spinach (approx 10 ounces)
  • 1 small can of mandarin oranges (drained and rinsed)- Or you can use 2 fresh peeled mandarin oranges
  • 1/2 cup French Fried Onions
  • 1/4-1/2 cup Italian Salad Dressing

Directions:

  1. In a large chilled bowl, combine all ingredients and serve straightaway.

This serves 2 as a main, or 4 as a side dish. This recipe is naturally vegan.

This is also great as a main dish topped with 4-6 ounces of your favorite grilled protein (I like chicken breast).

 

Want to Eat Out & Save? Check out Restaurant.com!

Abby H.

I’ve been a fan of Restaurant.com for at least a decade.

Seriously! You purchase a discounted gift certificate (make sure to check the cert for restrictions, such as a minimum purchase amount or mandatory gratuity ) for a local restaurant.  You have a year from the date of purchase to use it.

  • $100 eGift Card for only $18.00
  • $200 eGift Card for only $36.00

Restaurant.com eGift Card can be redeemed at 62,000 restaurants and providers across the country. Available denominations vary by restaurant and certificates are subject to minimum spend requirements and other restrictions. You can split up the $100 or $200 amongst a few local restaurants.

Here is an example of how to use the certs to your advantage.

Cafe XYZ- Certificate for $15.00.  Terms of cert: $15 off the purchase of $30 or more.

  • The check comes to $30.00
  • Minus Cert amt. -$15.00
  • Total New Bill: $15.00
  • Gift Certificate Cost $6.00

The price for this complete meal is $21.00 (that includes the cost of the certificate).  The total amount saved $9.00.

ABC Cafe- Certificate for $25.00.   Terms of the cert: $25.00 off the purchase of $35.00 or more.

  • The check comes to $35.00
  • Minus Cert amt. -$25.00
  • Total New Bill: $10.00
  • Gift Certificate Cost $10.00

The price for this complete meal is $20.00 (that includes the cost of the certificate).  The total amount saved $15.00.

Don’t forget to tip your server!

Free Small Entree at Panda Express

Abby H.

This offer was in my inbox this morning. I’m allergic to shrimp, but hopefully one of you will take advantage of this deal!

When you order Wok-Fired Shrimp with your meal on the Panda Express app, you can get any small entrée free*.
Try it now as the offer ends 4/17. Online only.

1. Order Wok-Fired Shrimp with your meal
2. Add any small a la carte entrée
3. Use code “WOKFIRED” at checkout

*Offer ends 4/17/2022. Limit one free small entrée per order. Order must include Wok-Fired Shrimp as part of a bowl, plate, bigger plate, cub meal or family meal. Discount applies after a small a la carte entrée is added to the order and code ‘WOKFIRED’ is successfully applied prior to checkout. Valid only for online orders via Panda Express website and app at participating Panda Express® locations. Tax, service, delivery and other fees still apply. Tax included for free small entrée. Offer subject to availability. Offer is not valid on catering or for corporate accounts and cannot be combined with discounts or cash. Panda Express reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and modify the offer, or any part of it, for any reason at any time without notice, including, without limitation, if any fraud or technical failure impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the offer. Additional restrictions may apply. Void where prohibited.

Rubio’s Launches Three New Dishes!

Abby H.

Are you Hungry? You will be after reading this post!

Calling all seafood lovers. On Wednesday, February 23, Rubio’s Coastal Grill locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona will introduce new dishes featuring Wild-Caught Red Argentinian Shrimp with a sweet-spicy kick of honey and chipotle peppers. With its large size, bright color, and exceptional flavor, wild Red Argentinian shrimp is a Rubio’s fan favorite.

“The rich, fresh, sweet-tasting Wild-Caught Red Argentinian Shrimp never fails to delight guests, and we’re thrilled it’s back on the menu,” said Rubio’s Co-Founder, Ralph Rubio. “Our Red Argentinian shrimp are sourced from the icy, pristine waters off the far southeastern tip of Argentina. They are wild-caught, never farmed, continuing our commitment to serving responsibly sourced seafood wherever possible.”

 While available, Rubio’s guests can enjoy wild-caught Red Argentinian shrimp paired with a specially created chipotle honey sauce. The culinary team has created three incredibly flavorful menu options, available for a limited time, including:

Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp Bowl

Wild-caught, grilled Red Argentinian Shrimp, crisp romaine, citrus rice, and black beans topped with handmade guacamole, cilantro/onion mix, creamy chipotle sauce, a new chipotle honey sauce, pickled red onions, and a slice of fresh lime.

 Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp Burrito

Wild-caught, grilled Red Argentinian Shrimp, citrus rice, black beans, handmade guacamole, cilantro/onion mix, creamy chipotle sauce, a signature chipotle honey sauce, and pickled red onions all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. Served with tortilla chips.

 Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp Two Taco Plate

Wild-caught, grilled Red Argentinian Shrimp on top of melted three cheese blend, crisp romaine, and cilantro/onion mix. Topped with creamy chipotle white sauce, a new chipotle honey sauce, and pickled red onions. Served on warm flour tortillas with black beans, tortilla chips, and a slice of fresh lime.

Guests are encouraged to order ahead through the Rubio’s app or Rubios.com. For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill and to view the menu, visit Rubio’s, Facebook and Instagram.