From this point forward, all new post will be on my new blog: Dash of Evans. Originally, I was going to import all old posts to the new blog, but it ended up messing up my Pinterest links. SO, I'm going to leave this blog alone for the time being.

So why change?
When I started this blog FIVE years ago, I wanted to share coupon tips and how to save money. I will always be thrifty and cheap, but I wanted my name to show more than simply my frugality. Since my website is now more food based, it was time to switch.  

Don't worry, I'll still share budget tips for you! Feel free to email me with any questions you might have about coupons!

Let me know what you think and expect some awesome new recipes and video series ahead...when I find the time. Anyone else ready for back-to-school?!

Ashleigh

Calling All Students & Teachers: $48 off at T-Mobile!

This post is sponsored by Savings.com

Calling all students & teachers! Did you know that you can get a discount at T-Mobile?! 

Right now T-Mobile offers $48 off smartphones AND tablets, plus FREE shipping.  It applies to U.S college students and K-12 plus college staff.  You just have to head over to the store and show a valid student or employee ID.  The discount applies to popular devices, but excludes those under $100.

Mmmm Mondays: One Pot Sausage Rigatoni

I will admit, I was quite skeptical when I saw everyone posting about one-pot pastas. I assumed the pasta would be either crunchy or way over cooked. Where does all of the liquid go?

From the first time I tried it, though, I was HOOKED. I will never boil water separately again. We can now have a pasta dinner in less than 25 minutes and by cooking the pasta in the sauce, it gets SO much flavor.  Plus you only have one pan to wash. Or should I say, for Ricky to wash.

Watermelon Pina Colada #HamiltonBeachBlenders

Disclosure: I am a Hamilton Beach blogger. The blender was provided for me to create tasty recipes. All opinions and recipes are my own.

It's gonna be HOT this weekend here in Michigan. Woohoo! During the summer months, I am all about watermelon.  I freeze cubes for my water! My favorite use, though? In cocktails, of course! Watermelon + Coconut is my favorite summer combo right now.

Just in Time for Back-to-School: $50 PayPal Giveaway!

Entry-Form

Everyone could use a little cash this time of year, right? Well lucky for us Shawn Ann at Living Life to the Fullest has put together a $50 PayPal giveaway for you!

Enter above and GOOD LUCK! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Bonefish Grill: Hooked on Tuesday menu!

A few weeks ago, we had a family date night at Bonefish Grill to check out the new Hooked on Tuesday menu. My kids LOVE seafood and I thought we needed some quality family time together. 

The Tuesday menu features 3-course meals starting at $14.9! Heads up: get there before 6:30 for happy hour!  

#FeelInvigorated With Glade Blue Odyssey Candles!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Feelinvigorated #CollectiveBias

With three little ones and two dogs in our household, we LOVE Glade® products! The seasonal candles are the best! I can't wait to check out the new large candles. 

#BringComfyBack With U by Kotex!

Since I was a teenager, I've had awful, awful periods. I need to be prepared for anything, so I usually wear liners no matter what. Plus they're great to wear during workouts!  

FREE Scholastic Books from Kellogg's! #Back2SchoolReady

Disclaimer: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Back2SchoolReady #CollectiveBias 

My twins have been reading for almost a year now and they are HUGE book worms.  I love it, since I am such a huge reader. We have an assortment of read out-loud books, early readers and bedtime favorites for our family.  Books can be expensive, though! This back-to-school season, Kellogg's wants to help you build up your library with FREE Scholastic books.  You can also donate your books--they'll mail them right to your school!

Summer Boredom Buster: Yay Labs! Ice Cream Ball

Disclaimer: We received the Yay Labs Ice Cream Ball as part of the #StonyfieldBloggers program. All opinions are my own.

So we’re hitting that “I’m boooooored” part of summer. I’ve pulled out all of my tricks so far: exciting themed library trips, numerous trips to the zoo, fun craft mornings and now I’m just plain out of ideas.  It doesn’t help that the weather has been in the 90s all week. My girls have quite the Teen Beach 2 obsession going on too. I let them watch 20 minute chunks of it at a time so they aren’t zombies in front of the TV all day.

New Book: DIY T-Shirt Crafts #Giveaway!

Hey crafty friends! I've got a great giveaway to share with anyone out there who is a craft lover (or if you're looking for gift ideas for a crafter you love). My friend Adrianne Surian of Happy Hour Projects just published her first craft book, DIY T-Shirt Crafts! I met her in Chicago at SoFabU OTR a few weeks ago and we instantly clicked. Adrianne is also from Grand Rapids!

Box Tops Coordinating 101: New Year, New Goals! #Hefty4BoxTops

Disclaimer: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Hefty4BoxTops #CollectiveBias

Holy cow, it's almost August already! Back-to-School displays are popping up everywhere.  I'm starting to come to terms that I will have ALL THREE girls in school this fall.  Granted, Gabby will just be half day in preschool, but I will have 3 hours TO MYSELF.  

Pasta Night: Ricky's Creamy Chicken Marsala

Our family is quite a little mixing bowl of diversity.  Ricky is half Italian and half Mexican.  I'm half white and half black.  When I'm filling out forms for my girls, I don't know which boxes to check!

Ricky has quite a few tasty Italian AND Mexican dishes up his sleeve.  My mom requests his meatballs for holidays...maybe he'll spill that recipe sometime for you all, too!  He started making this creamy marsala when he was in culinary school.  As much as he loves cooking, after a few months in culinary school, we decided the chef hours might not work with our family.  Hopefully one day we'll open up a food truck or something since we're both such foodies.

Let's Chat About...Grand Rapids' Own G.B. Russos!

In August, we will celebrate our Five Year anniversary of living in Michigan. It's crazy how time flies!! It wasn't until about two years ago that we discovered G.B. Russo & Son, located on 29th Street, close to Breton.  I drove by it a million times because I loathe 28th Street, but I never knew what it was!

I feel like Russo's is like a secret club: either you know about it or you don't. I've spoken with many people in Grand Rapids that have no clue about it or they speak praises. So now EVERYONE should know what a great, local grocery store Russo's is!  You know it's going to be an amazing store the minute the doors open and you get a whiff--it's a combination of bread and spices that makes your stomach growl.

G.B. Russo & Son has been in business for 110 years! You know they're doing something right! You can shop for a variety of items from wine, beer, sausages, take-home homemade meals and more! I can literally browse the aisles for an hour if I'm without my kiddos! To introduce any newbies, I thought I should do a virtual mini-tour.  If you're local, I would be SO happy to give you a real one.

Since I'm a huge fan of beer and wine, we'll start with the good stuff.  If you are looking for a HUGE selection of wine, beer and liquor at great prices, head here. They have aisles of wine to browse.  My favorite section is the bargain area, of course.  Look for carts lined up in the middle of an aisle with marked down wine. I've scored some bottles at almost 75% off. This is a great way to try new brands or stock up for a party.  They have a weekly email list I suggest signing up for so you can get a heads up on which wines are on sale for the week!

Across the store on the front wall is the beer area.  There are SO many varieties of local and craft brews to check out.  On the weekly email list, they'll also let you know if there's any beer specials. I like to pick up cases for $10...last week it was a Great Lakes Brewery one.

Tip: Right across from the beer coolers, you'll see the rack of Day-Old bread...if you're lucky! Those loaves freeze up well and you can make garlic bread or crumbs from them.

I love their deli for the variety of sausages and sliced deli meat that is hard to find elsewhere. For our #PizzaFridays, we can't do without their pizza pepperoni--a larger variety perfect for snacking, also. The mild Italian sausage is amazing, of course, but be sure to also try the new chicken varieties! Many times, they'll have items to sample.  The deli case offers sandwiches, antipasto options such as olives, pasta salads and more.  You can seriously drool for at least 10 minutes.  On the back wall, past the deli you can find take-home meals in small and large sizes.  The lasagna is SO good.

I love to look at the bulk spice area on the back wall.  You can find chili flakes, fennel and anything else you might be looking for.  I like to put the bulk spices in mini labeled mason jars and store them in our pantry.

The other aisles offer a variety of specialty items. We have our go-to items that we always grab: Pastorelli's Pizza Sauce is the BEST! Right now they have a 99¢ pasta sale with hard-to-find shapes like orzo, ditalini, mini stars and more. I stocked up our pantry for upcoming soup season!

Aside from the tried and true items Russo's always has available, they also frequently have new products to try.  Last trip, I spotted this Chicago Mix popcorn by G.H. Cretors that lasted...oh....one night. It was THAT good! Even our new pug Leia was begging for some! I also saw some quinoa chips which will be perfect for our next beach day.

Looking for a gift?  Check out the housewares area! During their anniversary party, I won a gift basket and the pie pan that was in there is the BEST--it's a bit larger than normal and it has a metal crust protector. I'll be sure to share a photo next time I make pot pie!

Keep in touch with G.B. Russo & Son on social media:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest

Stay tuned...tomorrow I'll be sharing Ricky's Chicken Marsala recipe made from items we bought at Russo's.  I had a health scare last week and he's been cooking up a storm for me.  I can't believe he's sharing this recipe!

Have you ever shopped at Russo's? What's your favorite thing to buy?

Mmmm Mondays: Spicy Nacho Burger

Can you say "nacho" without replying "naCHO cheese!!"? I thought I might outgrow that phrase, but it never ceases to make me smile.

BBQ Favorites: Slow-Cooker Country Style Ribs

Being honest, I really don't like ribs. It's about the bones--I hate gnawing away feeling like a caveman. Ricky and Olivia, on the other hand, love ribs and wings. I've had to leave the room while Olivia was eating because she grossed me out so much!

I accidentally bought Country Style ribs once thinking it was a roast (hey....I was shopping with kids) and they have been our favorite ever since.  They're cheap, too! I put a quick rub on, squirt some mustard on them and let the meat slow cook all.day.long.   When it's time for dinner, just throw them on the grill with some BBQ sauce.

Back-to-School Shopping? Use Groupon Coupons!

We all know (and love!) Groupon...but did you know they offer coupons now too?! 

Check out Groupon Coupons while online shopping and score FREE coupons for your favorite stores.  Unlike regular Groupon, you don't have to purchase a deal, just simply search for coupons on their website.  

The coupons are regularly changing and there are over 9,000 stores listed! This will be PERFECT for back-to-school shopping! (Can you believe summer is half over already?!)

I was looking to purchase something at Walmart and they had over 101 coupons available! I love how they showed that the coupon was actually verified...not just random users adding codes. 

What types of coupons do they offer?

Groupon Coupons offers coupon codes, printable coupons, promo codes and store specific information. Since the coupons are regularly updated, it's perfect for each time you're online shopping!

What's on your back-to-school shopping list?

Dip Baby Dip: Mango Poblano Guacamole #StonyfieldBlogger

I am a #StonyfieldBlogger. All recipes and opinions are my own!

I'm always pretty adventurous with adding different ingredients to salsa, but I forget to switch up guacamole.  Being honest, I could eat guacamole every.single.day.  In the summer, when avocados are super cheap, I pretty much do!

Budget Friendly Summer Entertaining Tips #TweetFromTheSeat

Disclaimer: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Charmin. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation. All content and thoughts are my own. #TweetFromTheSeat

Isn't summer entertaining the best? It's much more carefree and laid-back!  That being said, there are some things that can still stress you out during a party: making the food, buying groceries, cleaning, etc.  The last thing you want to worry about is an embarrassing clogged toilet.  Did you know that Charmin is septic safe? They've got your behind covered! (Pun intended!)

Road Trip! Our Mini-Vacation to Mackinaw City #PureMichigan

 

Last year, we took a road trip to Mackinaw City with my parents.  Michigan has so many beautiful places to visit, it's nice that we can travel only 4 hours to a whole new world.  Since Ricky is a newbie Michigander, we had to check out Mackinac Island and the area surrounding it.  Be warned: I have a lot of photos!

Time for a quick history lesson for all of you who aren't native to Michigan: we have a lower and upper peninsula, which are connected by a 5 MILE Mackinac bridge.  We stayed in Mackinaw City (yes, it's spelled differently) which is in the lower peninsula.  To visit Mackinac Island, you have to take a quick ferry across the lake to the island.  The area has so much fascinating history and it's very remote, for being such a large tourist town. On Mackinac Island, there are NO motor vehicles aside from a few emergency vehicles--everyone gets around by foot, bikes or on horses.  How cool is that?

To see the whole post, head over to my new site: Dash of Evans. 

BBQ Favorites: Creamy Ranch Potato Salad

Nothing says summer like potato salad! It's perfect with burgers, ribs, sandwiches...anything! Everyone has their own style that they love.  Do you keep the skins on or peel the potatoes? Eggs or no eggs? Mayo, mustard or yogurt?

Aldi Haul: What I Bought For $50! [Video]

You all know by now that I LOVE ALDI. I've been shopping there for years--even before I had kids. It's a budget shoppers dream store and you can really find some gems there.  Their season section is always fun to browse.  Like I always say: you can get MOST of your groceries there, but not all.  I like to go there first to knock of most of my list before heading to Meijer or Costco.

Movie Review: #Disney Inside Out

Disclaimer: We received movie passes to facilitate this review, but all opinions are my own.

I'm really not sure who was more exited to see Inside Out between my kids and I.  Being a huge fan of the voices (Amy Poehler and Mindy Kaling, especially), I couldn't wait to see what their comedy chops could add to a Disney movie.  Originally, the twins had t-ball and it was going to be a Mommy date with Gabby.  The stars aligned for the twins and upcoming storms canceled their t-ball game and they were able to come along, also.

Going to the theater is a BIG DEAL for the family.  It's quite expensive to take the whole family to the local cinema, especially with popcorn and snacks.  We'd never seen a 3D movie, so this was even more exciting.

Movie Basics:

This story is about Riley, an 11 year old, and her emotions in her head.  There is a main headquarters and 5 main emotions that run it: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger.  The story is told from the perspective of the emotions in the headquarters--they watch what is happening in her life and help her react to it, with Joy being the leader.

Thoughts:

We really enjoyed this movie.  My daughters (6 year old twins and 3) sat through the entire movie and laughed along with the different characters.  Nothing was overly scary and they only covered their eyes once or twice.  The 3D aspect was really cool, but I don't find it necessary for the extra money.  No matter which way you see it, you'll get a great movie.  

I will warn you that there is a slight ominous tone to the movie.  They mostly went over my kids' heads, but really hit home with me.  A lot of the movie deals with different memories from childhood and the emotions tied to them.  There is a point in the movie where the old memories are being stored in a "long-term" space and some were being erased--I started wondering how many memories I'd long forgotten about!  

They also touched on innocence and really made you remember how fleeting it is.  Many of Riley's memories were from when she was younger and you meet her Imaginary Friend.  In the beginning, everything has a touch of Joy and happiness, but as things change in the movie you'll see different emotions creating her feelings.  Disney touches on the idea of how you want everything to be through rose-colored glasses, but life is about ups and downs.  (Cue: Facts of Life theme song)

I like that Inside Out opens the door for conversations about emotions as a family. 

About the PG Rating:

I think this is the perfect rating and I don't think there was anything overly scary in this movie.  It isn't quite as light and fluffy as I expected, though. My 3 year old loved the movie and was laughing quite a bit.  I know many other Disney movies rated PG that she finds way to scary to watch (Brave, especially).  There are jokes for parents, as usual, which are really funny.  We all enjoyed the movie and it will be one that we purchase on DVD later.  

Have you seen Inside Out? What were your thoughts?

Cook Once, Eat Twice: BBQ Meatballs #SweetSwaps

Disclaimer: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for the SPLENDA^® Brand. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. All opinions and reviews are my own.

Lately, I feel like there isn't enough time in the day.  With so much going on, there is barely time for ME time, let alone time with my friends.  Sometimes a gal needs some adult conversation....and wine!  It seems many of my friends have the same situation: busy schedules that are impossible to sync up.  When my friend Becca suggest an outdoor Zumba class, I was in!  What's more fun than making a fool of yourself with your friends?

Our First Year of School: What We've Learned

The school year FLEW by and my twins are officially be FIRST GRADERS. What?! Where did time go? I am not gonna lie: this summer is going to be a rough one...but I'm ready!  Library here we come!

Gifts That Give Hope: Heart of Haiti at Macy's!

Summer is the time for gatherings--weddings, showers, BBQs and birthday parties.  Many people are searching for meaningful gifts; not your average home decor.  The Heart of Haiti line at Macy's offers handcrafted items by Haitian artists.  The items are available in 25 stores across the country and online.  Since each item is handmade, they are all unique.  I'm really drawn to the bright colors and unique pieces they offer.  The metal is made from oil drums which they pound down and stain--watch the video below, it's hard work that these artist put into this!

Bonefish Grill: Enter to Win a Fab #GirlsNightOut

As food posts on social media continue to gain popularity, the nation’s favorite seafood restaurant Bonefish Grill has teamed up with popular jewelry line Bourbon and Boweties for the two companies’ first-ever Instagram collaboration — in a series of photos that tell the story of how cocktails, food and fashion combine to create a great girls’ night out. (Follow the hashtags #IncredibleIs #DoYouBangle #Bourbonandboweties) Sweepstakes winners will be announced on July 6th!

Walmart Family Mobile: Stay Connected on a Budget! #Save4Summer

Disclaimer: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #Save4Summer #CollectiveBias

Having a reliable phone is something you can't take for granted.  We've been seeking the lowest priced unlimited plan for a few months now.  A little over a year ago, we decided to take the leap at get iPhones.  BIG mistake.  HUGE.  We didn't really know what we were ordering and I guess the iPhone 4S was on it's way out.  What does this mean? We have SO many issues with our phones.   There is absolutely no space on the phone for apps, photos or even to function.  At least 4-5 times a day, my phone will shut off unexpectedly.  Also, I have to constantly charge it, even if no apps are running or syncing.  To take a photo, I have to delete apps--not quite convenient when you're trying to capture a quick moment at t-ball practice!  Every night, we have to hookup our phones to the computer and upload everything and start from scratch. EVERY.NIGHT.

Join Me For a Family Fun Day at Camp Macy's! #AmericanSelfie

Dislaimer: This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Schoooool's Out for SUMMMMER!  Woohoo! I'm both excited and terrified at the same time.  As I shared last week, I went many summer camps as a kid--even Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, which was mocked in the movie American Pie.  While I love camp, my asthma, allergies and straight up fear of bugs makes it less than fun.

Enter Camp Macy's! On June 14th at the Fashion Square Mall in Saginaw, there will be a family fun day! Indoor camp fun? YES PLEASE!

Mmmm Mondays: Cheesy Ranch Baked Chicken

When you're shopping on a budget, chicken thighs are the way to go!  The boneless skinless ones are perfect to marinade and grill up for tacos or stir-fry.  This tutorial on how to de-bone chicken thighs is a  game changer for sure--you can save SO much money.  For this recipe, I de-boned the thighs, but left the skin on.  When chicken thighs go on sale for $0.89/lb I stock up my freezer!

Quick Tip: if you buy a large family pack, be sure to break it into smaller portions before freezing.  I like to get two large packs and break them into 5 thighs in each bag.  You can pre-season them, too!

Ricky gets food samples from work--a major perk.  Usually they are products that aren't on the market yet or labeled.  The girls had plain silver juice boxes for the last few weeks of school--they were like "what ARE these?".  With an abundance of Hidden Valley ranch packets on hand from Ricky's work samples, I've gotten pretty crafty with using them.  This recipe is super simple and the kids LOVE it.  You can serve with a side salad, veggie or whatever you have on hand. A baked potato would be tasty too!

The Hidden Valley ranch packets are located in the regular dressing aisle, usually on the top shelf.  If you can't find them there, check by the McCormick's seasoning packets.  I love to make veggie dip with the new Greek yogurt packet.

Cheesy Ranch Chicken
Serves 4-6
Modified from Damn Delicious Ranch Cheddar Chicken

What You Need:

• 8 Bone-in Chicken Thighs, deboned leaving skin on (optional--you can leave bones in, too!)
• Here's the tutorial on how to de-bone
• 1 Packet of Hidden Valley Ranch
• 1/2 cup olive oil Mayo
• 1/2 cup Colby-Jack Cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon McCormick's Chicken seasoning (or Italian)
• Salt & Pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375.  Coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
2. After deboned, season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste.
3. In a small bowl, mix mayo and ranch packet. Set aside.  In another small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with cheese, parsley, garlic powder and chicken seasoning. 
4. Place chicken, skin side up, in the baking dish.  Brush on ranch mixture, making sure to evenly coat all of the skin.
5. Sprinkle with cheesy breadcrumb mixture.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until cooked through.

How do you like to cook chicken thighs?

Don't forget to pin this recipe for later! Check out my Facebook page for more tips and recipes!

Calling All Bloggers: Are YOU heading to #SoFabUOTR Chicago?

Disclaimer: I am writing this post in exchange for a discounted conference ticket; however, all opinions are mine.

Blogging is definitely a job where you learn something new everyday.  I started this blog over 5 years ago (CRAZY!) and I'm still learning.  There are many different types of bloggers and everyone has their own style.  I've never aimed to be the biggest or best blogger--but I aim to learn as much as I can!  I keep doing this to have fun, teach people a little something and make some money for my family.  Plus, I've met SO MANY great people from blogging.

Of all of the companies I work with, Social Fabric is one of my favorites.  They really take care of their bloggers.  Plus, they have a great website to teach you MORE about your job: SoFab University. The courses are FREE and you can take them at your own pace, usually around 20 minutes each.  Seriously, they are so helpful.  

Many non-bloggers don't quite get the importance of a conference.  There are a variety of large and small ones available to go to each year.  At BlogHer Food two years ago, I was able to meet and connect with so many brands and other writers.  It truly helps you stay on your A-game. 

Conferences can be super expensive to attend: flights, tickets, food, etc.  I truly appreciate smaller, local conferences that don't break the bank.  When I found out SoFabU On The Road was heading to Chicago on July 11, I knew I had to go!  Three hour drive in my favorite city? Yes, please! 

To be the best blogger you can be, there will be sessions on video, networking, sponsored posts and other learning opportunities.  Plus, the national sponsors are Müller, Kraft and iBlog.  You know they'll have something tasty and fun up their sleeve. Not a SoFab member yet? NO PROBLEM! 

Chicago is limited to 50 attendees and it's expected this to sell out! Early Bird pricing ends 6/12.

Will you be joining me in Chicago on July 11?! Leave a comment and let's connect!

Check out my Blogging Conference Tips, too! 

Tommy Tippee Giveaway! #StonyfieldBlogger

Since Gabby is our last little one, every milestone seems to be bittersweet.  Don't get me wrong, I was excited to not have the expense of diapers over a year ago--but then it was sad to think we'll never have a tiny baby anymore.

Sticky Summer Fun: Tabletop S'mores #LetsMakeSmores

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LetsMakeSmores #CollectiveBias #sponsored

Summer is almost here! My biggest goal for the school break is to let my kids be kids.  Time to get sweaty riding bikes, dirty helping in the garden and sticky faces from popsicles.  It's hard for me to just let them go sometimes--I'm worried they'll crack their heads open from the slide or something.  It's total Mama-paranoia.  I was a really cautious kid, so when Maddie is swinging from the "big kid" monkey bars, I freak.  

Do you remember summers as a kid? I feel like we were always outside, taking the occasional break for a snack.  I went to quite a few camps too: art, science, writing, Zoo.  In middle school, I started going to band camp.  The first time I watched American Pie with Ricky, I told him I went to the band camp that the movie was based on and he said "that's probably not something to brag about!".  I know I was a total nerd...and I still am.  I'm proud to be the circle in a room of squares.  When I look back and remember sleep away camp, I always think of s'mores! 

Join the Food Revolution with EVOL foods! #EVOLRealFoodRev

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Meijer to promote the #EVOLRealFoodRev. All opinions are my own and we truly LOVE this product.

Monday starts t-ball for the twins, which is twice a week.  Ricky has softball, I'm trying to run once a week with my Twin Moms group...yada yada.  To sum it up: our summer is going to be BUSY. There are many nights in the past month where we needed simple and quick meals that are healthy.

My #1 "oh-no, we have to eat dinner NOW" meal to is breakfast for dinner, but that gets boring really fast.  To get us geared up for summer chaos, I've been stocking up our freezer with basics to help my meal planning process: frozen veggies, brown rice, pizza crust, pre-marinaded chicken breasts, etc. One of our favorite new additions is EVOL foods!  I initially tried their meals because they had a cash back deal on Ibotta (a grocery shopping app) from Meijer and have fallen in love since. Their frozen meals have ingredients you can pronounce AND they're quite healthy.

Door to Door Organics: Box TWO {#Giveaway!}

Disclaimer: I have partnered with Door to Door organics for a review.  All opinions are my own and I promise to give my honest opinion.

So we are almost a month into this experiment with Door to Door Organics and we are quite pleased.

Quick refresher: we are pretty busy this time of year with the end of the school year, ballet, etc, so I chose to get shipments every other week, instead of weekly.  Also, despite being a family of 5, I chose the small mixed box (fruits and veggies) for our shipments, plus I add a few items from the grocery section.  I am using Door to Door Organics as a supplement to our groceries, not for ALL of our groceries.

Absopure Home Delivery System #Giveaway!

Disclaimer: I have a partnership with Absopure. All opinions are my own.

If you haven't noticed, I'm all about the delivery services.  For starters, I love getting mail...isn't it the best? I see my FedEx, UPS and mail carrier people more than most of my family! They leave treats for Rambo and ask how my day is going.  Basically, we're besties.

Another reason I love deliveries is for convenience.  We have quite a busy schedule lately and I truly don't have as much time to search for deals and coupons.

I've been using the Absopure home delivery system for a few months now and it's amazing.  Each month, we get water bottles, K-Cups and big water jugs for our water tank.  Our family is pretty well hydrated!

Summer Gifting Made Easy: Father's Day + Showers #ImBornTo #MoDSquad

I am part of the March of Dimes #ModSquad with 38 other bloggers.  We're helping spread the word about the #ImBornTo campaign for The Motherhood.  All opinions and awesome gift ideas are my own!

Summer is the time for gatherings- Mother's + Father's Day, baby showers, wedding showers, weddings, BBQs, birthdays....you name it!  I love to buy special gifts that have a meaning behind them.  Since the March of Dimes has partnered up with some great companies, I thought I would show you some gift ideas that help out the organization!