AquaFresh Little Steps Program

The Little Steps for Oral Care program provides parents with age-specific information about oral care and positive routines for children ages 0-9.

Regular email communication provides insight and advice from our child behavioral expert, Dr. Abi Gewirtz, as well as oral care tips from our dental experts. You’ll even get valuable coupons and new product offers!

Go here to sign up!

Secret Deodorant Deal at Marc’s

If you live in NE Ohio by a Marc’s store, you can score some really cheap Secret deodorant this week. Marc’s has Secret 1.7oz solids on sale for $0.88 with a limit of 4. Use the $1/2 coupon from the 8/28 P&G insert to get deodorant for $0.38 each!

Menu Plan Monday - Week of August 29, 2011

School is in full swing at out house.  If you missed my post on the first day of kindergarten, check it out here!  I again have a busy week at work with some sales training, so it will be hopefully a simple dinner week.  We are still adjusting to the new school schedule and soccer practice!  Hope you have a fun, safe week!

Monday - Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Tuesday - Chicken Breast Divine
Wednesday - BLT's with garden fresh tomatoes
Thursday - Meat Manicotti
Friday - Pepperoni Pizza Wheels
Saturday - Family Party
Sunday - Eat Out

This post is linked at MPM at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Meat Manicotti

Ingredients:
1# ground beef of turkey
1 box of manicotti noodles
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp parsley
salt and pepper to taste
1 jar spaghetti sauce

Directions:
Brown ground beef or turkey in a pan.  While browning, boil noodles to package directions (use the low end, so if it says 8 -10 minutes, stop at 8).  Drain noodles and rinse with cold water.  Preheat oven to 350F.  Drain fat off beef or turkey and mix in remaining ingredients. 

Pour some sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan.  Fill each manicotti noodle with meat mixture and lay in pan.  Pour remaining sauce over noodles.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Sometimes I will add shredded mozzarella the last 5 minutes of cooking. 

Enjoy!

First Day of Kindergarten

It's hard to believe this day is here.  Today is the first day of kindergarten for my oldest son!  It went smooth and he was so excited to get on that bus!  I was able to hold back tears until after the bus pulled away.  I am so proud of him and how independent he is!  He is gong to love kindergarten and I cannot wait to share in all of his experiences!

I hope he has a great first day and I will be waiting for him when he gets off that bus to give him a big hug! 

Menu Plan Monday - Week of August 22, 2011

It is our first "official" back to school week.  My son starts kindergarten this week!  We need to keep it simple so we can slowly adjust to our new state of normal!  I also need to learn how to pack lunches!  Should be an adventure.  Enjoy your week!

Monday - Angie's Taco Salad
Tuesday - Grilled Chicken Legs & Wings (I got some amazing marked down Nature's Basket chicken at Giant Eagle this week!)
Wednesday - Meat Manicotti (recipe to follow - I cannot believe I never shared this one!)
Thursday - Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Friday - Beef and Mushroom Kebabs
Saturday - Eat Out
Sunday - Family Get Together

This post is linked at MPM at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Free Peanut Butter at Giant Eagle Thru 8/31!

If you got the Sunday paper, than hopefully you got the coupon from $0.75 off Planters Peanut Butter!  Now through 8/31 at Giant Eagle, they are on sale for $1.50 which means after doubling the coupon = FREE!  I went today and there were only 2 jars remaining on the shelves, both Crunchy which made my hubby's day!  He asked, "why did you buy crunchy peanut butter, I could like eat this jar in a day?"  My response, "because they were free."  Enough said!

Join Recyclebank!

I am kicking myself for not joining Recyclebank soon!  I just earned enough points to cash them in for a free smoothie at McDonald's!  I love free stuff, especially when it is so easy to earn!  Now is a great time to join Recyclebank!  You can earn enough free points also by joining and participating in The Green Your School Year Challenge!  What are you wainting for, join now!

Geoffrey's Birthday Club

If you have kids and live near a Toys R Us, I highly recommend joining Geoffrey's Birthday Club.  Both of my kids are in it and they normally receive a $3 coupon on their birthday!  Click here to sign up!

Tomatoes are Abundant!

WOW - we have had a really good garden year.  We are now "knee-deep" in tomatoes!  We had a really good harvest of zucchini and cucumbers and now the tomatoes are coming in and they keeping coming!

We have cherry, romas, and some good old Better Boys!

I also have 1 lonely green pepper (those did not do so hot) and a few jalepenos!  I made one batch of salsa last week and another one is on the horizon!

How is your garden growing?

Fruit Pizza

Ingredients:
Roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar
5 oz Cool Whip
1/2 cup sugar
dash of salt
1tbsp corn starch
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup water
Various types of fruit cut up (I like bananas, kiwi, strawberries, blue berries, mandarin oranges, etc)

Directions:
Heat oven to 350F.  Roll sugar cookie dough flat on a 9x13 inch pan.  Bake for 10 -12 minutes.
Beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar, fold in cool whip.
Spread onto cooled cookie crust.
Arrange fruit on top of cream cheese mixture.
Combine remaining ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 2-3 minutes in microwave until thickened.  Pour over fruit.
Refrigerate at least 4 hours before cutting and serving!

Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday - Week of August 16, 2011

I am throwing a menu plan out there for this week, but I am not sure how well it will be followed.  I have a sales meeting at work so I will more than likely be home late two nights this week.  This means Dad is in charge, and often Dad decides he and the kids need a break and they head out to eat!  We will see what happens!

Monday - Spaghetti
Tuesday - BLT's with garden fresh tomatoes
Wednesday - Steak Fajitas with garden fresh green peppers and homemade salsa!
Thursday - Grilled Pizza with Chicken, Avocado and Tomato
Friday - Eat Out
Saturday -Steaks and Potatoes
Sunday - Chopped Spinach Salad with grilled chicken

This post is lined at MPM on I'm an Organizing Junkie!

thredUp - Its Easy Being Green!

thredUP is an amazing site where you can choose boxes for gently used clothing for your kids!  I just sent my first box throught thredUP and it was so easy.  If someone chooses your box, simply print the label and pack in the box provided for you!  thredUP will even schedule a USPS pick-up at your home! 

I have also received a box from thredUP and I got about 5 quality clothing items for my five year old!  Once someone picks a box, you get to pick another one for yourself!  If you are looking to cloth your child without breaking the bank, I suggest checking out thredUP!

This is the Day I Married My Best Friend!

Nine years ago today, I married my best friend, the love of my life!  We have known each other for over 16 years, time sure flies when you are spending your days with an amazing man.  Who knew when we met when we were 17 & 18 working at a grocery store, that things would turn out the way they have!

Since we were married, we have owned 3 homes, have 2 dogs, and now have 2 wonderful sons.  My husband and I both completed grad school after we were married, and now my husband stays home full-time with our boys.

He is also supportive of me and my choices as am I with his.  We have a wonderful relationship which allows us to share our feeling with each other openly, we have no boundaries. 

I only hope that the foundation that we have built will support many more years of happiness and bliss!

$50 Voucher to JCP.com for only $15!

This is an amazing deal!  You can get a $50 voucher to JCP.com through Plum District.  Go here to sign up and you will get a $5 bonus, plus use promotion code blogher to get an additional $5 off!  GO get your deal now!

Menu Plan Monday - Week of August 8, 2011

I have been picking cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers from the garden, so you will see some "common" items in our menu this week!  Hope summer is treating you well and you have safe, healthly, and fun week!

My husband and I are celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary this week, so hopefully (keeping my fingers crossed) we will be able to go out to dinner by ourselves!

Monday - Turkey Cucumber Wraps
Tuesday - Steak Fajitas
Wednesday - My Husband and I's 9th Wedding Anniversary - Restaurant TBD!
Thursday - Pepperoni and Fresh Mozzarella Paninis (I saw this recipe and have to try it!)
Friday - Mini Taco Bowls with garden fresh tomatoes & jalepenos!
Saturday - Bowling for Austim Speaks Event!
Sunday - Eat Out

This post is linked at MPM at I'm an Organizing Junkie!  Wonder where I get a lot of my recipe links?  Check it out above!

Turkey Cucumber Wraps

This is a quick, easy summer meal especially if you have cucumbers available in your garden!  I made these for lunch on Sunday and everyone enjoyed them!

Ingredients:
4 flour tortillas
4 tbsp softened cream cheese
1 cup finely diced cucumber
slices of turkey deli meat (amount varies on the size of your slices)

Directions:
Combine cream cheese and cucumber and spread on tortillas.  Layer turkey meat on top of cucumber mixture.  Roll up the tortillas and enjoy! 

I think these will also make great appetizers!  Just wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.  The slice into bite size pieces!

Enjoy!