Green Mountain Fair Trade Certified Coffee (plus 50% off Keurig brewer offer)

I have to admit, though I'm not a coffee "snob," I do have preferences when it comes to coffees.  Especially when finding the right K-Cup for my Keurig brewer.  Some flavors are too weak.  Some too bitter.  Some too bold.  Fortunately, I can count on Green Mountain Fair Trade Certified K-Cups to consistently deliver a perfect flavor, with the right roast and boldness.

The "Fair Trade" part of the name ensures that the farmers get a fair price for their coffee beans.  That way, they can support their families and workers and live a better lifestyle.  OK, so it might cost a dollar more than other K-Cups, but the flavor is well worth it.  And doesn't everything seem better when you know you are helping others out?

Here is a printable coupon for Green Mountain K-Cups.  Why not save a buck?!

And for those of you who don't yet have a Keurig brewer (heck - for anyone who has one and wants another, or wants to give one as a gift!), I have coupon codes to use at www.Keurig.com for you to get 50% off most brewers and free shipping!  These expire on October 31, so send me a message if you want your own code!

BzzAgent sent me Green Mountain Fair Trade Certified K-Cups to try, along with the Keurig coupon codes and the link to the printable coupon.  The only stipulation?  That I share the good news - and my honest opinions - with my readers!  Thanks, BzzAgent!

Maggi So Juicy Seasoning Makes Dinners Easy!

BzzAgent sent me some packets of Maggi So Juicy seasonings.  I have to admit, I was skeptical that a packet of mix, an oven bag, and some chicken breasts would make something worth bragging about.  But once the chicken started baking and my family smelled the aroma, it was all I could do to keep them out of the kitchen until dinnertime.

We tried the Mediterranean herb blend and it was divine.  The whole family gave it rave reviews.  I felt good serving them all something that was good for them, and something "homemade."

Although the bake time seemed long (approximately 45  minutes), I didn't have to "babysit" the meal while it baked, so I could devote my time to doing other things to prepare for the evening.
We paired the tasty chicken with a salad and some herbed potatoes.  Home run!

Honestly - Lean Cuisine Honestly Good Entrees are The Stuff!

I just tried the Lean Cuisine Honestly Good Lemongrass Salmon entree (compliments of BzzAgent).  Holy Wowza!  It was so, so flavorful and fresh and colorful.  Who knew that eating what I deem restaurant-quality food could be so good for you!  And for an entree that fantastic, you can't beat the price.

Unless you have coupons, that is!  And, naturally, I do!  Want one?

 

BzzAgent sent me a coupon to buy my very own Lean Cuisine Honestly Good entree, so I could let others know my true thoughts on it.  No strings attached!  Luckily, I liked loved it enough to be able to brag honestly.  They also sent me some "dollars off" coupons to share.

What to Do When the World is Yours

The sad news is that Andrew, the love of my life, has gone away on a men's camping trip.  Outdoors.  In 30-ish degree weather.  And I already miss him, and so do our kids.  He won't be back for 3 days.

So, it's up to me to keep busy, to have fun with the kids while maintaining a household and preparing for Thanksgiving.  Actually, it's not much different from any other long weekend, but it just seems different because he is out "playing," and not just gone all kinds of crazy hours at work.

So here's what the kids and I will do.  If you have any other suggestions that we can squeeze in, please let me know!  I'm ready to take on the weekend!

Friday - after I get off work & get Logan off the bus, we'll probably play a game, grab a quick dinner then go to Lights Up at The Summit for some fireworks and music.  My dad invited us to go with him.  How cool is that!?

Saturday - typically Logan and I go couponing in the morning.  I'll let Savannah sleep in, and my little man and I will run out to Wal Mart, Meijer, & Kroger to get some shopping done.  We'll take a break until mid-afternoon, when we meet a friend and her daughter at Puzzle's Fun Dome where the kids can run around and exhaust themselves.  After that, we'll probably head to Mom's to strip wallpaper.  After that, I'm all about doing a little sweep of the house and winding down with the kids.  Then - ME time!  Lately I've been going absolutely nuts earning SwagBucks.  By answering surveys, watching videos, and doing simple web searches, I earn points which I have been redeeming for Amazon.com gift cards and PayPal cash.  This is giving me a jump start on my Christmas shopping, because I can start buying things for Andrew without even touching our bank account!  Sweet!  Anyway - I think I might do some Christmas shopping for him while he's gone.  And maybe some shopping for the kids too...

Sunday - Get up and get ready for church.  Church gets out around 10:00, then we'll go to Mom's for some coffee.  After that, it's NFL time.  I will succumb to the pull of the couch and some snacks, and watch the Bengals, Colts, and some of my other teams play.  Hopefully somewhere in the midst of my cheering, Andrew will arrive home safely, smelling of outdoors.

Any other ideas of what I can throw in there?  Go ahead, I'm ready!

What to Bring for an Un-Thanksgiving Meal?

Everything changes when you get married.  It does.  And it's good.  And it takes some getting used to.

Holidays, for instance.  No longer do you spend one Thanksgiving meal with the whole family.  Instead, Thanksgiving spans multiple meals, and even multiple days.  Fortunately, since I have gotten married, our families have worked out the details of "sharing" the kids at the holidays.

This year (as in previous years), we will host Thanksgiving at our house on Thanksgiving day.  I make the turkey, rolls, deviled eggs, stuffing, pie, snacks, tea, and such.  Family members bring the mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn pudding.  We watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  We watch football.  It's traditional.

The day after, we go to my mom's house and celebrate Thanksgiving with her.  I usually bring leftovers, about which she is delighted!  She also fixes a meal, but it's a little less traditional.  In the past, it has been a savory rosemary pork roast.  Mom is a wonderful cook and a lovely hostess.

This year she will again be making a pork roast.  However, she has asked all the kids to bring a non-traditional side dish.  What?  What am I supposed to do?  What should I bring?   Little Smokies?  Potato salad??  Birthday cake???

Help - I need a non-Thanksgiving side dish to bring to Mom's.  The day after I host 15 people at my house for Thanksgiving dinner.

. . . And thanks in advance!

Cheap Bailey's (coffee creamer)

Be sure to "Like" the Bailey's Coffee Creamer Facebook page.  You'll have the opportunity to print a coupon for $1.50 off Bailey's Creamer!  (Remember to hit your "back" button a few times to print the coupon a second time.)

Take your coupons to WalMart, where the creamer is just $1.88.  After the coupon, you can score this amazing morning sensation for just 38¢. 

Hurry, before all the coupons are gone!

My Steals This Week

Did you know that I'm gaga over coupons, rebates, deals & steals?  Well, I am.  So you're going to hear about these kinds of things quite a bit.  Since I'm so excited about my lunch break shopping trip, I'm going to cut to the chase.  Here's what I got:

STAPLES (They are offering quite a few 1¢ deals to get you in the doors.  So I take advantage of those!  However, you do need to spend $5 to get the 1¢ items.)

• 6 pocket tissues @ 1¢ each
• 10 pocket folders with prongs @ 1¢ each
• 2 packages of colorful paperclips @ 1¢ each
• 9 RoseArt 24 ct. crayons @ 50¢ each (doesn't sound like a good deal, but you're not done reading...)
• 4 5-packs of Bic mechanical pencils @ 25¢ each

Total with tax = $6.02

THEN I used coupons (did you know that Staples accepts manufacturer's coupons?  I didn't know this until I called and asked!)

I used 3 - $1 off 3 RoseArt products coupons AND 2 - $1 off 2 Bic products coupons

That brought my total down to $1.02 for all 31 items!!!  You can't beat that with a stick!  (By the way, I have always been met with superior customer service at Staples.  Every person with whom I have come in contact has gone out of their way to help me, and to offer a smile with their service - even when using coupons!)

Some other steals...

• Kroger: free Suave deodorant, Colgate toothpaste, Stayfree maxis and Carefree liners using coupons from the past couple weeks' coupon inserts.  
• Kroger: Pop Tarts 3/$5 minus a $1 on 3 coupon = 3/$4.  PLUS, I had a coupon from a back-to-school display for $2 off milk when you buy 2 Pop Tarts.  So I got a half gallon of milk FREE.
• Office Max is offering 5¢ protractors or compasses, 25¢ marker 8-packs, 1¢ backpacks (after MaxPerks bonus rewards) and 1¢ Duracell batteries after MaxPerks bonus rewards.

There are some other good deals lurking this week, including ones at Rite Aid, Walgreens, and CVS.  They involve coupons and store rewards as well, so if you're into that kind of thing - make sure you stop by this week for everything from cheap Listerine mouthwash and Pantene shampoo to free Oral B toothbrushes and Crest toothpaste!