a free lunch - a quizno's sub

Hurry hurry and sign up to get a free Quizno's sub! They're giving away a million subs, and they're about a third of the way there last I checked.
Be careful to print the coupon when you know you'll use it soon because it will expire 5 days later. But sign up for it now, and you'll receive an email to print from.
I'll have mine for dinner on Thursday! Anyone want to join me? :)

Menu Plan Monday: Feb 22-29

Sunday: Pork (still had some from the Cafe Rio Salads last Tuesday) w/ rice
Monday: Ham & Fabulous Potatoes (a Fails family take on Funeral Potatoes- close to this recipe, but without the fatty topping)
Tuesday: TGIFriday's- gotta use that coupon one more time!
Wednesday: Mini-pizzas on english muffins
Thursday: hopefully I'll get my free Quizno's coupon to use, since Jerry's out of town
Friday: Potato soup, frozen leftover from this week
Saturday: Enchiladas & spanish rice

Since I owe you...

I'm paying up for all the birthdays, thank yous and wedding gifts I've slacked on by paying it forward! How do you get in on the good karma to come? Read on.

Pay It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie "Pay it Forward". I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join the PIF exchange. All the gifts will be made and posted out 'sometime within the next year'. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive!

What you need to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. This Exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE TO POST THIS SAME 'PAY IT FORWARD' MESSAGE ONTO YOUR BLOG, WHICH MUST BE ACTIVE IN ORDER TO PLAY. YOU WILL PAY IT FORWARD TO 3 PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG.

Other comments are welcome, but only the first 3 will be my Pay It Forward recipients. Actually if you have any good ideas for me to make with these hands, feel free to chime in!

Making Money at CVS

This week is a great one for making money at CVS! If you already have some extra bucks, use them on these deals to multiply your stash of ECB. If you have no ECB yet, this is a good time to start, because your initial investment is not just matched, its multiplied (ok, by like .7540283 or so, not by 20 or anything huge).
Here's the scenario I did yesterday:

-Neutrogena bar soap (original or unscented work- not sure about the acne formula)
2 x 2.99= 5.98
Received 10 ECB
= 4.02 profit! *** This is a straight-up money maker- no coupons required! Limit one though, :(

-Gillete Venus Razor
1x 7.99
- $4 off Gillette Fusion coupon (works for Venus just fine) from 2/8
Received 4 ECB
= Free

Colgate Toothpaste
2 x 2.99
- 2x $1 manu coupon from 2/1 ** If you don't have coupons from that day, you can print one from here
Received $5.98 in ECB
= $2 profit!! The only thing better than free toothpaste, is money making toothpaste!

CVS brand Cotton squares
.99
(will buy another pack next time and receive $2 ecb)

- Glucose Meter
19.99
-19.99 coupon
= free

I know, you're wondering "why did you buy ANOTHER glucose meter Danae?? Is your whole neighborhood going diabetic? " No. But the magic coupon machine spat out a $5 off $30 when I went in the store, so I threw that in to boost my total over $30, and make even more of a profit!

I spent $9.49 in ECB, plus $.84 out of pocket, and I received $19.98 in ECB. Thats almost $10 in ECB I didn't have before I went to the store and "bought" soap, toothpaste, razor, etc. Teehee! This is my milk money! (Since I'm trying to buy my milk locally, and with ECB now)
Good luck to you- may you find your CVS well stocked.

Menu Plan Monday: Feb 15-21

Sunday: Crock pot Roast
Monday: Spaghetti
Tuesday: Cafe Rio pork salad
Wednesday: Chowder & cornbread
Thursday: Cilantro-Pesto Salmon
Friday: something in the 5 minutes I have at home before going to babysit (for my coop neighbor)
Saturday: Phillip's Shrimp (Safeway super coupon + manu coupon= great deal for shrimp!)

TGIF - Free Meal at Fridays!

I didn't think it could be for real, but it is! TGI Fridays is circulating a coupon for B1G1 entree. We went out last Saturday and enjoyed a meal of steak, ribs, and shrimp for 3 adults for $20. Sure its the epitome of a chain restaurant, but there's something for everyone on the huge menu. And the price- free is good!!
The coupon is not valid on Valentines Day but otherwise you can print it and go as many times as you like before March. If the website doesn't work for you I can email you the pdf.
Hurray for Fridays!

Happy Birthday, Darwin!

What a darlin, that Darwin! (age 9, with his younger sister)

Where would we be if it weren't for Charles Darwin? Well, we might all be Pastafarians, good gosh, need I say more? Happy Birthday Chuck. And happy day to all the fine specimens that have evolved in the name of Homo sapiens.

Menu Plan "Just forget that Monday was 3 days ago" Feb 8-14th

I planned our menu this week. I did. I'll even tell you about it. Never mind its Thursday though, k? This way I can tell you a little about the food we already cooked.

Sunday: Apricot-Orange Pork chops + chicken = a feast for 10! Delicious!
Monday: Sloppy Lentils
Tuesday: "No-Fuss" Potato Soup (Fix it & Forget it cookbook pg 62)- notice the "no fuss" in quotes- I think its a relative description. I felt like there was definitely fussing involved, but it was delicious.
Wednesday: Taco Ring (see photo above)I do this with ground turkey instead of beef, and half the recipe
Thursday: We'll see what Jerry turns up!
Friday: Egg Rolls, asian veggies & rice
Saturday: Heart-shaped Pizza- pure love!

Plant a Tree for Free!

Whether you've always known about AMERICAN FORESTS or just found out about them here and now, take this quick, 5-minute survey, and AMERICAN FORESTS will plant a tree for every person who takes it. Take the Survey

American Forests is a wonderful non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. They lead projects on the local level to encourage urban reforestation, and globally with their Global Re-Leaf program. I am guessing the tree they plant in your honor will be at one of the Global Re-Leaf projects.

Even if you don't have a good answer for all the survey questions, please complete the survey so your tree will be counted! You can feel good about planting a tree without lifting the shovel. :)

Menu Plan Monday: Feb 1- 8

Sunday: Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup ala crockpot
Monday: Denver Omeletes and hashbrowns (didn't eat this last week because I got suckered into Giant's meal deal- pizza, soda & ice cream for $5, minus my coupon = $4. Couldn't resist)
Tuesday: Crockpot Gyros ooohh I can't wait for this!
Wednesday: Grilled Chicken salad
Thursday: ? Jerry?
Friday: Mom Fails is visiting- she won't know we just had Bean Burgers last week ;)
Saturday: Apricot-Orange Pork chops