Cheat Meals: Frozen Pizza

Sometimes our schedule is so tight that cooking is an after thought. It is nice to have some quick meals around the house that take care of dinner for us. 

Almost every week Publix has frozen pizza on BOGO. We prefer pizza without any meat so this week's BOGO was California Pizza Kitchen. They were $6.49 each so with the BOGO, they were $6.49 for 2. 

No coupons this time, just a good sale!

Chocolate

I love chocolate.

Napoleon carried chocolate with him on the battle field for a snack.

I wrote about a coupon outing that involved chocolate (see more here). Even on a budget, it's a must-have!

Seen in a café 

Breakfast To Go

I wanted to make a breakfast that was filling and portable. After consulting the web, I decided to try my hand at egg muffins. 

I mixed a dozen eggs with chopped tomatoes, green onion, and basil. I added chives, turmeric, and ground mustard to the mix along with salt and pepper. 

 Next, I browned turkey sausage to add to the egg mix. 

Then, I poured in the egg and sausage mixture into a muffin tin. At 350°, they were baked for 25 minutes. 

Once they were done baking, I took them out to cool. 

Once they were cooled, I put them in a ziploc bag and placed them in the fridge. Now they are in individual serving sizes ready to go!

Salad To Go

Making lunches is the economical way to go as opposed to buying lunch every day. Finding time to make lunches and finding portable food is the key. 

I like salad for lunch. The thing about salad is that it can get wilted and soggy before lunchtime. I found a work around that helps a lot. Put salad dressing on the bottom of the container!

Salad on top: 

Dressing on the bottom: 

Shopping with Multiple Apps

My average shopping trip involves 4 apps. I have dozens of apps for stores, restaurants, rebates, and shopping tools. 

A recent shopping trip I was on a mission to buy coffee and filters. Here is how I managed the shopping trip:

1. Favado app to compare prices of coffee to locate deals. 
2. Publix app to select digital coupons and view the weekly ad
3. Shopkick for walking into the store for points towards gift cards 
4. ibotta for a rebate on a purchase
5. Receipt Hog to claim credit on the receipt

This shopping trip yielded slot spins on the Receipt Hog app. I earned 15 coins total from 2 different spins. All of this goes towards Amazon gift cards or PayPal credit.

On Shopkick, I earned 25 points for walking into Publix. These points, or they call them 'kicks', go towards gift cards. 

Couponing: Bottled Water

Here is an example of a shopping trip that was involving store coupons only. The price for Nestle Splash water (6 pack) at Publix was 2 for $5. 

The Publix coupon was $1.50 off 1 pack. I purchased 7 packs. 

Here is the breakdown: 

$ 17.50 for 7 packs of water

-$10.50 from 7 coupons $1.50 off 1 pack

= $7 or $1 per pack

Bottled water is always a good thing to keep around the house. Regular consumption and stocking in case of hurricane or other issues. This was a great find!

Couponing: Cleaning Vinegar

Cleaning supplies can get expensive. It helps if you only pay 19¢ for 2 bottles of cleaning vinegar!

Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar is found in the grocery section near the vinegar, not in the cleaning section. 

At Walmart, it was priced at $2.47 each. There were coupons and rebates on ibotta and Checkout51. 

Here is the breakdown: 

  $4.94 for 2 bottles

- $2 manufacturer coupon $1 off 1 bottle x 2

=$2.94 Out of Pocket

- $0.75 ibotta rebate

=$2.19

- $2 Checkout51 rebate ($1 back on 1 bottle x 2)

=$0.19

Couponing: Coffee

One thing I do not stock is coffee. I prefer to purchase it fresh. I discovered that I was running low and it was time to purchase. 

A good deal at Publix is coffee filters, Publix brand. A coupon for $1 off any style Publix brand filters was found on the Publix app under Digital Coupons. The filters I chose were $1.29 per package which brings the price down to 29¢. Awesome!

Another digital coupon found on the Publix app is for Café Bustelo coffee. It is reasonably priced to begin with and having a discount is a bonus. Instead of paying $9.78 for 2 cans of coffee, I paid $7.78. Not bad!

After both digital coupons from the Publix app, I saved $3 and paid $8.10 (with tax). Not bad for 2 cans of coffee and coffee filters!

There were not any rebates for these items this time for coffee or filters. However, there was a generic grocery receipt for any item on the ibotta app. The rebate was for 25¢ which does not seem like a lot. I have earned a total of $101.55 since September 2015, small and large amount rebates alike. Join and start saving on things you're gonna buy anyway!

Orangina

Orangina. This is one of my favorite drinks of all time!

As I look back at a blog I started in 2007, I seem to have mentioned Orangina fairly frequently. 

What makes this drink so delicious is that it is carbonated orange juice. Not like orange pop / soda. It actually tastes like oranges.

I go long periods without having it because it is not always easy to find in the US. I was out for lunch at a local market one day and saw it! Without hesitation, I purchased one. 

MCT Oil

I heard a guest speaker at work not long ago that was touting the health benefits of MCT oil. He is a medical doctor and says that this oil suppresses appetite and aids in boosting metabolism. 

This doctor suggested the powder form and to put it in coffee. I decided to buy it and try it. 

As it happens, I had a free drink on my Panera app. I stopped in for a free coffee and gave this powdered oil a whirl. 

Not prepared for the powdered consistency, it dumped out onto my desk. Since it was a substantial amount, I decided to salvage it by sweeping it off the desk. 

It was not long before I looked down and realized how this scene may look to others. 

Perception does not mean it is reality!

Ridged Cherries

I have never seen these cherries before now. 

A South American woman who attended the Easter dinner hosted by our small group brought these in a large quantity. They're pretty tasty but somewhat tart. 

My husband saw them and said that his father has a large cherry tree of this variety at his house. He enjoyed seeing them since they are so familiar. 

You learn something new every day!

When Nothing is Happening

Sometimes it is hard when you're waiting for something be it a blessing or good news. It is especially hard when it appears that nothing is happening and there is no evidence of anything happening. 

The disciples felt this way when Jesus was crucified. It appeared that he was dead and their time with him was over. Some ran away, some went back to their jobs, and others were never heard of again. 

Once Jesus died on the cross, he was physically laying in a grave for a few days. Seemingly, dead and signaling the end of his work. 

The reality is that Jesus was busy at work in the spirit world in those few days that his body was laying in a tomb. 

Colossians 2:14 tells us that Jesus canceled the record of debt against us. Revelation 1:18 tells us that Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades. 

Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we are no long slaves to sin and death. Jesus's sacrifice was enough for everyone and every sin. Jesus made sure of it by cancelling the record of debt and taking back the keys of death and Hades. All the while, his body was in a tomb. 

Jesus talked about the time to take down the kingdom of darkness is now in John 12:31.

When there seems to be nothing moving toward the blessing you've been waiting for, rest assured that we serve a God who does not sleep. He's on the clock all the time!

Brussels Sprouts a Different Way

I've roasted Brussels sprouts many times before. This time, I decided to try something new. 

I started off the same way by tossing the sprouts in olive oil, pepper, and sea salt. Then roasting them in the oven. 

This time, I toss the roasted sprouts with pecans, craisins, and blue cheese. It was a nice addition to add some flavor. 

Salmon with Pesto

For Easter, I decided to bring a main dish that would suit us living a meat-free life. I searched for different recipes for salmon and finally decided on a recommendation from my dad. 

Salmon with pesto, panko, and parmesan recipe from Wegmans. The recipe is simple. Start with coating the pan with olive oil or a basting oil. Place the salmon skin side down and then top with pesto. Add panko and parmesan to the top. 

I baked the salmon covered for 20 minutes and then uncovered for another 10 minutes. 

It was a crowd pleaser! Many people who have an aversion to fishy fish said that it was perfect. It was delicious!

Easter Celebration

Easter is a wonderful celebration for Christians. Without the death and resurrection of Jesus we would be forever slaves to sin and death.

Jesus conquered the grave of eternal death and separation from God. He lives today because he conquered the grave. He still has the power to conquer the grave where your dreams lie dormant and where your hopes have gone to rest. Jesus has the power to resurrect your hopes and dreams.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. We focus on the blessing of salvation and life eternally with God. 

Foot Rubs

I love foot rubs. My husband is not a fan of giving or receiving. A friend from our small group gave me advice about reflexology and the importance of the feet being rubbed. 

In effort to tend to my feet, I purchased a wooden foot roller on amazon.com. It is big enough for both feet to roll at the same time. The various bumps and nubs help stimulate the feet which correspond to every part of the body. 

My plan is to keep this at my desk at work. I'll be rolling and working.

Money Earning Apps

A lot of my posts feature money earning apps or rebate apps. I've been using ibotta for about 18 months and have gotten over $100 back. I shop for me and my husband. For those with larger households, you could earn a lot more than what I have.

Get started by clicking this link: https://ibotta.com/r/dxueqlv 

Dining on the Intercoastal

I had the occasion recently to dine on the Intracoastal Waterway. 

The restaurant looks like an old fishing shack from the road and has that same feel on the inside. If you don't wander outside to the multi level deck, you miss the views of the water and the possibility of al fresco dining. 

The dinner was delicious. The company was delightful. It was a very pleasant evening on the water. Florida living at its finest!

What a beautiful sight! 

Passover

A woman from our small group brought matza ball soup and salad to accompany unleavened bread. She has just experienced a seder dinner that had been modernized by incorporating Christian scriptures to enhance the Jewish celebration of Passover (see Exodus 12). 

We ate the soup and salad along with some unleavened bread. Later, we read out of a Messianic Passover Haggadah booklet. 

We read in 1 Corinthians 11:26 that as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim Jesus' death until he comes again. 

The unleavened bread at the table had holes in it symbolizing the holes in Jesus' hands, feet, and side. The bread also had burn marks symbolizing that by his stripes we are healed. 

The bread is unleavened meaning it does not have yeast. Jesus warned us about having yeast mixed in and the effects. Yeast transforms the dough and makes it puffed up. We are not called to be puffed up and transformed by something other than the Father. 

What a beautiful tradition to celebrate one of God's monumental works in the Jewish history, our history. God protected those who obeyed him by sprinkling blood on their door posts. Those who obeyed were spared from death.

Mentos Freshness

I like to carry mints in my purse. You never know how fresh your breath is until you have to talk to someone. In my case, it is usually an opportunity to meet someone new. I don't want my first impression to be a smelly one. 

Mentos NOWmints come in a tin and are priced $1.99 per tin at Publix. I found a BOGO coupon which lowers the price by 50%. Great savings already! Then, I was alerted to a rebate on Checkout51 for 50¢ per tin (up to 4 tins).

Here is the breakdown: 

  $7.96 for 4 tins ($1.99 each)

- $3.98 (after 2 BOGO coupons)

= $3.98 out of pocket

-$2 rebate from Checkout51

= $1.98 for 4 tins (or 50¢ each)

Free Audiobooks

Christianaudio.com has a ton of audio books. Each month they offer a free audiobook! They host authors like Francis Chan, Tony Evans, Matt Chandler, and Lysa Turkeurst. 

There is an app where you can listen to these audiobooks anywhere you are. You can also download the files to be made accessible on a computer or on a mobile device. 

I've built up my audiobook library on free books alone. I listen to them in my car via USB key when I l have long commutes. I have also listened to them on my iPad for plane trips, such as my recent trip. 

The Vacation Life

Living in Florida feels like being on vacation perpetually. I grew up in New York State so seeing palm trees signaled vacation. I still feel this way even though I'm surrounded on a daily basis.

One of the fun parts of living a vacation life is the restaurants reinforce this impression. We went to a restaurant recently that resembles a tiki lounge. The roof was thatched with the kind of material used on hula skirts. What a beautiful atmosphere and great food!

I resisted the idea of being relocated to the Florida office. I had notions of high heat and uncomfortable humidity. While that is part of Florida, I've come to appreciate not dealing with snow. 

It is all part of God's big world!

Travel Tip: Empty Water Bottle

Given so many do's and dont's at airports these days, air travel has become more complicated. For example, no liquids can be carried onto a plane that were brought from outside the airport. If you have a cup of coffee or a bottle of water on the way to the airport, you must consume it in its' entirety prior to going through security. 

Airports have seen the benefit to them in this liquid ban. Prices of items in airports typically are higher than elsewhere. Liquids are now priced higher than ever before. 

There is a work around (for water at least). I travel with an empty water bottle. Airports are now equipped with water bottle filling stations. Eureka!

In selecting a water bottle, I choose one that can be squished and then will take the original form. This way it fits in my purse or 'personal item' without taking up a lot of room.  

Once I'm on board the plane, I place the water bottle in the seat pocket in front of me. 

I'm reusing water bottles and saving money on bottles of water at the airport. This is a budget friendly solution along with a green solution!

Invisible Tattoos

Curious title for this post. 

I was in Starbucks recently using a gift card from the SavingStar app. I got a grande dark roast brewed coffee with almond milk, vanilla powder, and nutmeg powder (my usual order). 

Whilst sitting in the café, I was on a conference call with my team at work. My ears were dedicated to the call but my eyes were roaming around taking in the sights. 

There was a couple who was waiting for their order, mid-twenties and tattooed. The guy had a word in Old English font, vertically positioned from his wrist up to his elbow. Since his fingers were pointed toward the ground, it was upside down. Without straining and tipping my head (and looking obvious), I used my best deduction to decipher the letters. 

It came clearer as a few moments passed. 

Suddenly, it became clear: D - I - R - T - Y.

My first impression was that it seemed to match. He was unshaven, wearing a stained t-shirt and sneakers with the laces untied and untucked. Then I looked closer.

It struck me in that moment how I feel that way sometimes. Dirty. I may not have a tattoo that says it outright to the world. My actions and reactions do the talking for me and are louder than any tattoo.

How about you? Does your past make you feel dirty? Even if you've been saved and set apart by Jesus?

According to 1 John 1:7, the blood of Jesus washes away sin. Isaiah 1:18 tells us that we will become white as snow even though are sins have made us like scarlet.

We may know this in our head and may have even publicly declared this from our own mouths. Has it sunk in to a point that we embraced this truth?

You are not dirty to the core. You are God's masterpiece and may have gotten dirty along the way. In love and mercy, God washes us white as snow and takes away all the filth forever.

Dear friend, ask the Lord to give you a new tattoo and remove the dirty tattoo.

Simple & Healthy Dinner

I write a lot about quick and easy dinners. Some take a lot of effort, while others are not complicated. 

A recent dinner was very simple. I took an old idea of caprese (see more here) and turned it into a salad. The caprese salad had the usual tomato, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and then I added avocado, sunflower seeds, and lettuce. Dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 

We eat a lot of fried plantains (here is one such example). I added this to the dinner and voilà!

Mountain-Moving Faith

When I had written about having faith the size of a mustard seed (here), I hadn't been to the Rocky Mountains. 

A business trip to Colorado was the occasion for me to see these mountains with my own eyes. The pure majesty of these mountains had me captivated. 

I have a new respect and understanding of a small amount of faith can move a mountain. 

I took this photo from Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, CO.

Receipt Hog Bonuses

Receipt Hog is an app that gives gift cards to Amazon and credit to PayPal (read more here).

Certain receipts warrant a spin on the app's slot machine. Typically, I have earned 2 to 5 coins on the slot machine. I scored 10 coins from the slot machine. Coins means gift cards!

Qualifying receipts are eligible for a monthly sweepstakes. One of my receipts was drawn giving me another 20 coins.

Fish Burritos

We eat a lot of fish. Sometimes, it is difficult to not prepare the same dish. 

While thinking about other ways to prepare fish, I started thinking about fish tacos. This seems to be a trend that many restaurants are embracing. I decided to embrace it at home. 

I started with seasoning a filet of swai with Everyday Seasoning, of course. 

Next, I chopped up onion, tomato, and green onion. 

Then, I boiled the rice and beans from this dinner kit. 

Finally, I assembled the rice, beans, chopped veg, and fish on the soft tortilla. I added salsa, chives, and sour cream. 

It was quick, easy, and delicious. Trifecta!