Grocery Store Sales

My last post inspired this one. I am a dedicated sale shopper. I used to be a crazy coupon shopper, but coupons aren't as good as they used to be (the economy even ruined that) and I have less time deal with them as I used to, but I still use some.
Mainly, I shop based of the grocery store ads. This is pretty easy to do, once you get used to doing so.
The key is to watch the sales, when something is on sale you stock up so you don't have to buy it when it is not on sale.
Better yet, clip coupons for foods, then use them when you can buy the item on sale

I am speaking for Southern So Cal:
Grocery store sales typically go from Wednesday-Tuesday.
Usually the ads come in the mail on Mondays or Wednesdays.
Watch for them.
Then, see what is on sale at each store.
Going to more than one store can save you a significant amount of $ sometimes.
Watch for special 3 day sales (usually on weekends) and for coupons in the ads.

Some of the produce/natural markets, like Henry's have double ad Wednesdays -so the previous week and coming week's sales are both in effect.

Wednesday mornings... that's where I am  :)

This week
Wed 11/3 - Wed 11/10
Blueberries, Blackberries, and Raspberries are on sale at Henry's for $1.50 each.

Blueberries haven't been on sale at any major grocery store in 2 months, so I am excited!

As winter approaches and is dominated by boring apples and oranges, I encourage you to get your berries while you can :)

Tervis Tumbler Cups

I have broken so many glasses!
I drink ice water all the time and get so annoyed with the cups sweating everywhere.

About a year ago I bought two Tervis Tumblers.

 They are plastic, but  look nice. The cups DO NOT sweat, and they do not break. If they did happen to crack or break you can return them anytime, even years later for a replacement.

They sell plain ones as pictured here, but there are also many designs to choose from on their website

They also sell a few at Bed Bath and Beyond and maybe Macy's but the price seems to be pretty consistent

AnySoldier.com

AnySoldier.com is a website where deployed military personnel can post wish list items that they need or would enjoy to increase moral and find comforts of home.
Then, you can request their address and send a care package directly to them.

I have done this many times in the past and it is time for me to send another. I usually get a flat rate priority box and fill it as full as I can (mailing it costs around $10-$11). Note that you do have to fill out a customs form (will be given to you at the post office) and list what is in the box and the $ value.

Many times they are requesting simple things like foot powder, toothpaste, and snacks, and personal notes so it doesn't take much money to send some smiles!

It is also a great way to share left over Halloween candy!

Bear Creek Tortilla Soup

This is my favorite soup! It is so good and so easy!
The mix can be bought at just about any grocery store on the soup isle. (Just don't buy it at Henry's because  there the sell a 4 serving bag for the same price as the 8 serving bag bought elsewhere)

The mix just calls for water and the mix. I always add a can of corn, a can of black beans, and chicken. Sometimes I will add tomatoes (a can or freshly diced) and even some rice.
If I cooked chicken tacos or chicken fajitas the night before, I will just chop up and dump all the leftovers into the soup.
We usually top it with avocado and broken up chips (and cheese and sour cream for those in our family who eat cheese)

Pumpkin French Toast

I made this Pumpkin French Toast this morning. The boys devoured it and I though it was good as well.
Love that it sneaks in more nutrients because of the pumpkin
Click here for the recipe
I used pumpkin pie spice, a little nutmeg, and cinnamon, and only 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
I used whole wheat bread and it worked well with this recipe.
We dipped ours in yogurt and whipped cream (instead of syrup, we do that all the time)

It's not enough for 8 sliced of bread though... it only made 4-5 pieces.

Audio Message on Marriage

This is one of my favorite sermons from the church we attend North Coast Church. Even if you would not consider yourself religious, or even if you do not attend church, or attend a different church, I encourage you to check this out. You can listen online or download it as a podcast.
Until Death Do Us Part - Chris Brown North Coast Church

Diapers.com

Diapers.com has the best prices on diapers.
$49 = free shipping - delivered in 2 days, and they have good customer service.
Also it's nice not to have to be lugging big boxes of diapers that take up your whole cart and car.
Often they have $1 or $2 off coupons that you just click to apply. You can also mail them in manufacturers coupons.
They sell all kinds of products but the best value is diapers, so that's mainly what I use them for

Get 15% off first order

Redeem at www.diapers.com

Referral Code: GIWI9107

Cafe Zucchero in Little Italy

Kevin and I went to Care Zucchero a couple weeks ago in Little Italy of San Diego.
I had the best italian food I have ever had. I had the

Contadina

$ 13.95

Rigatoni, Eggplant, Zucchini, Tomato, Mushrooms, Artichoke, Gorgonzola  (mine minus the Gorgonzola)


And as you can see the price was reasonable.
They also serve bread to the table that is almost like a pizza flatbread. With some marinara sauce on it it tasted like pizza.

We both enjoyed our dinner so much we went back the next day for breakfast which was also good.

It's far from us, but we will definitely find a way to go back more often!

Discipline Books

These two are definitely some my favorite parenting/discipline books. Most books/articles tend to say the same basic things over and over again. I consider these books more advanced as they have more detailed tips and strategies.

Especially the Easy to Love book as it has more of a defined strategy of steps to take to parent in a different manner.


(clicking on the book will take you to it on Amazon.com although you might also consider checking out books on half.com where often the shipping is more than the books because you can get books for so cheap!)

Winkflash.com

Winkflash is an online photo gallery and print shop, much like Shutterfly, Kodak, etc.
They have really great prices on their photo items and prints.
Their 4x6 prints are 8 cents each which is even cheaper than Costco
There is a coupon on the website to get your first 50 prints free.

While I use Winkflash the majority of the time, I also suggest having a Shutterfly account as they will email you free offers about every couple months. When it is a free photobook, that is like at $20 free value!

Hard Boiled Egg Timer

I love this thing. There are a few different brands of these types of hard boiled egg timers, but they are pretty much all the same. Thye can be bought online of course, but also at bed bath and beyond for $4.95 My mother in law got one for me (well actually two cause Will dropped the first one and broke it)
You put it in the water with the eggs while cooking them to be hard boiled eggs.
When it changes color you know the eggs are done.
My hard boiled eggs come out PERFECT everytime.
I've also found that when they cook perfect, they tend to peel easier

Babyhawk & Ergo Baby Carriers

Babyhawk is a brand (made locally in San Diego County) of Mei Tai baby carriers. I got one when my (premie) son Will was a few weeks old. 


I carry him on my front when shopping, and if I'm on a walk. He will go to sleep in it. It can also be used to carry older babies on your back.


I also have and Ergo carrier (pictured by the mom kneeling) that I got when my older son was 1. It can also be used as a front and back carry. I prefer it for back use as it is a little easier to get on the back all by yourself.  I still use it especially often when I vacuum and when I cook and my son doesn't want to be put down.


Both of these are different than the oh so famous Baby Bjorn. Baby Bjorns and similar carriers puts the weight of the baby mainly on the shoulders. This is ok for men but all moms I know stopped using it at about 4 months because the weight was too much on their shoulders and hurt them.  Also, it holds the baby in a way that puts all their weight on their crotch.  Here's a sample article about it http://community.babycenter.com/journal/paxbaby/3083409/what_is_wrong_with_the_baby_bjorn


If I was being sent to a deserted island and could only take one item.. I would take the Babyhawk as it is cozy for the smallest of babies and very comfortable for me. 


Both are a little pricey but  definitely worth every penny!! 

Healthy but Good Pancakes Recipe

I know these sound weird, but I promise they taste good!
Will is one of the pickiest eaters ever, and he gobbles these up.

Recipe:

Healthy Pancakes that taste Good!!

-Gina Wilson

2/3 cup Arrowhead Mills Buckwheat Pancake mix (available at Henry’s)

½ cup of Bisquick mix

¼ - ½ scoop protein powder (optional - stir into the milk)

1 cup milk

1 egg

2 tsp honey

2 tsp oil

1 tsp flax oil (optional)

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp of pumpkin pie spice (or a little nutmeg and allspice)

¼ cup sweet potato puree (can use babyfood)

1 mashed banana

½ grated apple (optional)

blueberries or chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl.

Cook on a preheated (about 400 degrees), lightly oiled griddle or pan, turning when bubbles form on the surface and edges begin to dry.

Serve with sliced strawberries and yogurt to dip them in.

(yogurt is a great replacement for syrup - and there is even maple yogurt if you want a syrup like taste!)

Recipe makes enough for 4 adults. Best served right away.