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6/24/2026 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.Leave a comment

Now that school is back in session, I’m going to be posting my weekly meal plans again. Breakfast and lunch at our house are usually the same each day- that’s how the kids tend to like it.

I do my grocery shopping usually early on Saturday morning, after I inventory the fridge, freezer, and pantry (the forms I used are in this post- they are FREE). This week I didn’t buy a lot. I want to work through what’s in the freezer. I did, however, visit Trader Joe’s and buy 10 bags of their frozen pizza dough- it’s always a good idea to have safe foods on hand, and pizza is one here.

Breakfast: The Big Kid has joined the Protein Coffee train with me. He has his with the equivalent of 2-3 shots of espresso in it, served hot. I take my Protein Coffee iced. 1 protein shake and 20 ounces of cold brew. The littler dude is on an Einstein Bros. Bagel kick. I buy them once every few weeks, pre-sliced, then I stash them in the freezer and pull them out and toast them as needed.

Lunch:  Monday through Friday, I pack my own 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. This week I have frozen entrees- there was a sale a few weeks ago, and I bought enough for the first 2 weeks of school. The big kid has basically the same lunch every day: Sandwich, drink, Quest Protein Chips, and a couple cookies or whatever I made this week. The little dude has cheesy popcorn, mandarin oranges (2), a cheese stick, a yogurt drink, a cookie, and a fruit snack. Whatever keeps them fed!

Dinner: The heat is so bad this week, so I’m trying to make as many cool choices or stuff that doesn’t require a lot of heat or stovetop time (and nothing in the oven!!).

  • Monday: Italian Night
  • Tuesday: Gyro, Rice, Balela Salad, Naan

  • Wednesday: Smoothies and Charcuterie plates (this has become a Wednesday special)

  • Thursday: Quesadillas, beans and rice

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza
  • Sunday:  French Onion Beans with sourdough toast and fruit

Recipe: Country Pork Sausage Gravy

Abby H.

This is a very easy breakfast to make. It goes great on toast, biscuits, and crescent rolls.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Bulk breakfast sausage (I like Jimmy Dean)
  • 1.5 cups milk (I used whole milk)
  • 1/2 cup All-Purpose flour
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, brown and crumble sausage over medium heat.
  2. Once the meat has cooked through, sprinkle flour in the skillet. Stir the flour, coating the meat and absorbing the fat in the pan.
  3. Allow flour to cook and brown slightly, stirring frequently.
  4. Turn down the stove to low, and slowly pour milk over the mixture, while whisking. Stir constantly as the mixture cooks and the flour thickens.
  5. If the gravy is too thick, add a little milk (about 1/4 cup), and continue to cook until thick.

Subtitutions:

  • If you are dairy-free, use your favorite milk.
  • If you are gluten-free, use a 1:1 Gluten Free All Purpose Flour.
  • If you do not eat pork, turkey breakfast bulk sausage is a great replacement.

Kevin’s Natural Foods for Breakfast – New TryaBox

Abby H.

Kevin’s Natural Foods is back and ready for breakfast in this Tryazon Featured TryaBox opportunity, from Kevin’s Natural Foods! Try two of the following incredible freezer scramble starters: Denver-Style Ham & White Cheddar and Spinach & Bacon Florentine. Just add eggs for a clean, delicious & filling start to your day!

Tryazon has 275 sampling spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a TryaBox with two coupons for FREE Scramble Starters from Kevin’s Natural Foods to be picked up at Target, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Giant Banners, or Hannaford from the freezer aisle to sample and review at home – no party needed!

Learn more and apply here.

 

7/20/2026 National Lollipop Day- Celebrate with See’s!

Abby H.

Visit any See’s Candy location for National Lollipop Day on July 20, and you’ll receive a free lollipop — no purchase necessary.

Flavor availability may vary by location, but here are the flavors you may have to choose from:

Chocolate
Vanilla
Butterscotch
Sugar Free Butterscotch
Café Latté
Cinnamon

Free Slurpee Day is here on 7/11/26!

Abby H.

7-Eleven is celebrating its 99th birthday and the 60th anniversary of the Slurpee by handing out free small Slurpees nationwide on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The giveaway runs from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores, while supplies last. No purchase is necessary.

To find your closest location or for more details, visit their website.

Talk back: What is your favorite Slurpee flavor? I love a frosty Coke Slurpee, but any citrus flavor is a close second.

6/28/2026 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis weekend, I am on the ball and getting the meal plan posted on Sunday!

My goal of not doing a big grocery shop was foiled last week. I ended up going grocery shopping at Walmart when I needed to order a few things for the house- like washcloths. I have no idea where they all went. It was only $40, still well below my usual weekly grocery bill.

In the summer, we get into a groove when it comes to dinners. Easy, quick foods that are tried and true.

Breakfast: The kids tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee. I cashed in all of my points at Einstein Bros. Bagels to get a free dozen bagels. They are sliced and individually wrapped in the freezer. They are definately going to be a hit this week for breakfast.

Lunch: I’m doing lunch meal prep for the week today- Beans and Rice bowls for myself. And a batch of Mac n’ cheese for the youngest. The big kid usually doesn’t eat a big lunch. He’ll snack or have a bag of Quest Protein chips and a sandwich.  We’ll be escaping the house on some adventures. The kids will be taking advantage of the free summer lunches (find out more here) while we are out and about.

Dinner: Because of the heat, I didn’t end up making meatloaf, so we may grill burgers instead, or make Salisbury steaks. I’m not sure which.

  • Sunday:  Gyro, Rice, Salad, Naan
  • Monday: Italian Night
  • Tuesday: Something with Ground Beef, salad, and mashed potatoes

  • Wednesday: Smoothies and Charcuterie plates (this has become a Wednesday special)

  • Thursday: Chicken Quesadillas, fruit, chips

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

BOGO Free Bundlets at Nothing Bundt Cake!

Abby H.

This offer is back!

Buy 1 Bundtlet, Get 1 Free: Valid online and in bakery from Monday, June 22, 2026, through Sunday, June 28, 2026, while supplies last.

I love it when Nothing Bundt Cakes does a BOGO. Whether you order online and use online promo code: HELLOSUMMER26, or order in store and let them know about the Buy one, get one free offer, this is a deal that can’t be beat.

And did you know that Nothing Bundt Cake also has an app? You earn points on each purchase that can be redeemed for discounts or free items! It’s available wherever you download apps.

Oh, and don’t forget when you are in the store to ask about their Books and Bundts summer reading program. Your kids can earn free cake by reading this summer.

 

 

6/22/2026 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI took the weekend off from blogging to hang out with the kids and work on another project.

This week is less busy than last week, so I plan on hitting up the gym for yoga as often as I can.

I did a small grocery trip yesterday morning, mostly to get popsicles and a few things that were needed for a specific meal yesterday (Father’s Day breakfast for my ex and the kids). I’m going to try to go another week without a restock shop. We will have plenty of snacks, and I’ve got ingredients to make cookies and everything on the menu for this week.

The kids will be taking advantage of the free summer lunches (find out more here) as often as we can this week.

Breakfast: The kids tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee. I cashed in all of my points at Einstein Bros. Bagels to get a free dozen bagels. They are sliced and individually wrapped in the freezer. They are definately going to be a hit this week for breakfast.

Lunch: Between free summer lunches and the tons of snacks I’ve got in the cupboard, the kids will survive.  I have two plastic totes full of individually portioned self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. There are also preportioned fruits and veggies in the fridge.

Dinner: This week is another use-it-up week. We’ve got a lot of stuff in the freezer, including ground beef, nuggets, and frozen fruit.

  • Sunday:  Butter Chicken, Rice, and naan
  • Monday: Italian Night
  • Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, & veg

  • Wednesday: Smoothies and Charcuterie plates

  • Thursday: Nuggets, fruit, and chips

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

Meal Planning in the Summer…

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI forgot to hit Publish on this post on Sunday night and just discovered it in my drafts. Oops.

This is my first full week of both kids being on summer break.

This week is the week of appointments for the whole family. Between the front bathroom shower being resurfaced, doctor’s appointments for me, small kid, and big kid, and the dishwasher repair guy coming- it’s a full week of running all over.

The big kid and I plan to hit the YMCA as much as possible between all of our appointments. The Small Kid will probably come with us and ride a stationary bike the whole time.

The kids will be taking advantage of the free summer lunches (find out more here) as often as we can this week.

Breakfast: The kids tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee. I cashed in all of my points at Einstein Bros. Bagels to get a free dozen bagels. They are sliced and individually wrapped in the freezer. They are definately going to be a hit this week for breakfast.

Lunch: Between free summer lunches and the tons of snacks I’ve got in the cupboard, the kids will survive.  I have two plastic totes full of individually portioned self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. There are also preportioned fruits and veggies in the fridge.

Dinner: This week is a “use it up” week. I have a bunch of stuff leftover in the fridge from last week that didn’t get used, so this week we are leaning on what’s on hand.

  • Sunday:  Italian Night: Flatbread, Chicken Parm casserole (veggies included)
  • Monday: Breakfast for Dinner
  • Tuesday: Crockpot Meal (something with chicken)

  • Wednesday: Charcuterie Night

  • Thursday: Smoothies and Entrees

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

FREE Frazil Slushie Every Friday in June

Abby H.1 Comment

It’s back for 2026! Free Frazil Friday! If you aren’t familiar, a Frazil is a cold slushy drink available at gas stations and convenience stores nationwide.

Every Friday in June, you can score a free Frazil Slushy drink at a convenience store near you. To find your local participating location, click the link here. Many Jackson’s locations have Frazil machines.

If you are wondering about flavors, here is a complete list- most locations only have 2-3 flavors.

Lemonberry
Smashberry
Pina Colada
Orange Cream
Tiger’s Blood
Simply Mango
Blue Razzmatazz
Georgia Peach
Green Apple
Lemon Ice
Tangerango
Horchata
Lemonberry
Root Beer Float
Wildberry
Bermuda Triangle
Rock N’ Roll
Limonade
Smashberry
Pina Colada

This is a great summer freebie to add into your weekly rotation of freebies and deals in June!