I have been doing a bit of online shopping lately and I love to use Ebates.  If you have never heard of it, Ebates is a website which you can get cash back from your online orders (usually 2-15%), plus they share great promo codes.  I have saved so much money, plus I have gotten over $15 back!  Every little bit counts! 

Quick tips:

• Always search for the website first on Ebates and click on the link "shop now", otherwise they can't track your order and you can't get your money back.  Don't worry, no payment info is visible!
• Try a few different promo codes listed, you never know how much you can save!

I know there are a lot of options like this site out there, but this seems to be the one with the highest payout!

Sign up and do yourself a little spring shopping! 

Note: The link is my personal link.  I was not paid to promote this, I just love it!

MYO "skinny" cocktails: Margarita

Yesterday I shared my updated Sangria recipe.  It's probably my favorite, but this one is for sure going to be a staple for our summer BBQs.  I have been trying to make a healthier margarita for a year or so and I can never get the taste quite right.  Then I finally figured it out: use Crystal Light margarita mix instead of limeade.  It saves a TON of calories!  Best part, there is a generic Target brand which saves some extra money.  You can put that money towards a better bottle of tequila!  I was very skeptical at first, but it is tasty!  The key: mix only 3 cups of water, not the whole 2 quarts.

Quick & Easy "light" Margarita

Ingredients:

• Crystal Light or Target brand Margarita powder
• Diet lemon/lime (I like 7up)
• Tequila of choice.  I would say go for at least a $10 bottle.
• Orange & lime for garnish

Mix it up!

1. In a pitcher, mix Margarita mix with 3 cups of cold water.  That's all of the prep you need.  I guess you could also slice your citrus now.  If you have a crowd, make 2 packets with 6 cups of water.

To serve: 

• Fill a glass with ice.  If you want to salt the rims, more power to ya!
• Add 2 shots of tequila (more or less to taste)
• 1 cup of margarita mix
• Top with 7up (about 1/4 cup).
• Garnish with orange and lime.  For a touch of sweetness, add a teaspoon of agave nectar (or splenda).  Ricky likes a splash of Trop50 orange juice too. 

You can do a lot with this basic recipe.  I tried grapefruit in it, which was great!  It's always nice to have an easy margarita recipe on hand for summer!

UPDATE:  For a blended margarita (very tasty!)

• 3 cups of ice
• the drink mix (margarita powder with 3 cups of water)
• 1 cup tequila 
• 1/2 cup orange juice

Try it and let me know what you think!  

Want a nice healthier snack with your margs?

• Easy Peasy Guac
• Baked Tortilla Chips

MYO "skinny" cocktails: Sangria

With this little burst of warm weather we are having, I can't help but think about fun and fruity summer drinks.  I love to sit outside and enjoy a great margarita or some sangria.  The problem I have with those fruity drinks are the calories!  It's one of those things the less you know, the better!  Some margaritas can have 800 calories or more!  YIKES!  

I have been perfecting my slim cocktails for a couple of years, but I think I have finally found the best recipes.

Try these and you won't know the difference!

Quick & Easy "Light" Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine: I don't mind cheaper varieties like BareFoot, Flip Flop.  I usually get Cabernet or Pinot.
• Crystal Light Raspberry Ice or Cranberry Ice
• Diced fruit, any on hand. Apples, oranges or any berries are great.  Also try peaches!
• Diet lemon lime pop. 7 Up or Sprite Zero.  Zevia is great too!
• For an extra kick: 1 cup flavored rum or brandy

Let's make some Sangria!

1. Chop up fruit and put in the bottom of a pitcher.
2. Add half a packet of Crystal Light of choice.
3. Pour bottle of wine.
4. Let chill in fridge for hours or days!  It will be tasty no matter what.  Once you have this base started, when it gets low, add another bottle and the rest of the packet.  Repeat.  The fruit is good for up to a week.

To serve:
Fill a glass with ice.  Fill 3/4 way with Sangria.  Top with 7up and garnish with a shake of cinnamon.  To make it fancy, add a twist of citrus. 

UPDATE: Check out my How-To Video! 

Check back tomorrow for my MYO "skinny" Margarita.  

Like this recipe?  Check out my Facebook page for weekly recipe and money saving updates!

Update: Gabby's growing up!

If you haven't noticed, I have been a bit quiet lately.  I have been (kind of) busy planning the wedding and I really have just been trying to keep up with 3 little ladies.  Gabby is almost 9 months and she is huge.  It's funny to see her try to keep up with the twins, who are 3 now.  She will be running around soon enough, I can't even imagine!

Yesterday was a big day for Gabby...she participated in her first research project.  It was too funny!  I occasionally participate in research for a few local places and this time they called for Gabby to try some food.  Since she loooves to eat, I signed her up.  In the past I have looked at new containers for baby cereal (don't you hate those boxes?!) and tried new Subway sandwich ideas.  It's always a fun way to earn some cash.  I love to try new products! 

BTW: you might want to search for a local research company around you.  If you live in the Grand Rapids area, message me and I'll send you a list of my favorites!  It is a GREAT way to earn quick and easy money.  I also participated in Madison, they are all around!

Aside from my crazy money making schemes, things are pretty much the same around here.  I'm still trying to keep up with my workouts and I have actually lost over 10 pounds so far.  I am just trying to lose weight the healthy way, I don't really have a goal in mind for my wedding or anything. 

I hope all of you are doing well! Thanks for sticking with me!  I will have some new posts coming soon.  If there is ever anything you would like me to cover or if you have any questions, email me!

Two books that will save you TONS!

If you are my age (28! That is the first time I've said it!), you are bound to know someone either having a baby or getting married.  When I found out I was pregnant with the twins, I was given the book Baby Bargains and I fell in love.  Now that I am planning a wedding, I knew Bridal Bargains would help me out as well. 

What's so great about these books?  The honest advice.  There are no sponsors or advertisers to please, so all recommendations are tried and true.  The authors take advice from readers and revise each book every year or so, which keeps the information up to date.  There is also a website, but I found it a bit confusing.  Inside each book contains mounds of valuable advice and helpful websites.  I had always been a couponer, but after reading Baby Bargains I knew how to start saving on the really expensive stuff: baby gear. 

As have been planning my wedding (coming up in May, eek!), I have found so many helpful websites inside.  Did you know that you can BUY a brand name tux from some websites cheaper than renting them at the Tux shops?  It is easy to know where to search locally for deals, but when it comes to the web it is hard to trust just any website, especially if they are selling something for a wedding.  There are so many rip-offs out there!  Both bargain books have a rating system and thorough reviews for both brands and websites. 

If you want to buy your friend a valuable and useful gift, pick up these books! 

Have you checked out these books before?

Valentine's Day dessert!

I discovered this recipe last year and made it for a quick chocolate fix while I was pregnant.  I thought I would re-post for anyone looking for a simple dessert recipe for their special someone on Valentine's Day.  

The first recipe is from the February 2011 Woman's Day Magazine (don't look at the nutrition info... just tell yourself its fat free).  Who knew molten cakes were so easy to make!

(I tried to make it look pretty....)

4 Tbsp unsalted butter, plus some for ramekins*
1 Tbsp flour, plus some for ramekins
1/3 cup bittersweet choc chips (I used semisweet and it was fine...I am going to try peanut butter chips next!)
1 large egg, plus one yolk
2 Tbsp sugar

*It calls for 2- 6oz ramekins, which I don't have.  I used Pyrex 1 cup glass dishes and those worked great! 

1. Heat oven to 450 & butter/flour 2- 6oz ramekins
2. Heat butter & chocolate in the microwave in 20 second intervals until melted (I would say about 1 minute)
3. Use a mixer and blend eggs & sugar until smooth, add chocolate mixture and flour
4. Pour into ramekins and bake until center is jiggly (8-10 minutes).  Let stand about 1 minute and run knife around edges.
5. Invert onto a plate.  No, this is NOT easy at first.  Also, dont put the ice cream (which you must have with this!) on the plate BEFORE you do this.  It's easier to put the plate on top, then flip.  Trust me.

Enjoy!  This is making my mouth water... I may have to make this sometime soon. 



Once again, this is from Woman's Day Magazine, not an original recipe! 

Meijer deal! $1.75 Gerber sleepers!

I happened to make a quick trip to Meijer tonight and I found a jackpot in the baby clearance.  Baby G is HUGE and she has outgrown her 12 month sleepers (she is 7 months...).  Alas, I wanted a cheap stockup to get us into spring where she has more hand-me-downs to wear.

It's hard to see, but they are marked down to $5.50!

Here's how to score a great deal:

1. Log-in to your mperks account and add the 50% off clearance perks. 
2. Go to Gerber to print off coupons for $2 off 2.  I like to print these and keep them in my binder for clearance deals like this!
3. Head to Meijer!  They ring up $5.50, but when you add your Mperks, it takes 50% off every item.  
4. Here's the addition (buy 2 or more): $5.50 each -50% off = $2.75 each.  Add the $2.00 off 2 coupon and it makes them $1.75 for 2 sleepers.  

Let me know if you find this deal!  There are also thermal ones for $4.  I may have to head back tomorrow.  Don't forget about all of your preggo friends and family...what a great gift filler!