Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Crock Pot cooking on the cheap *Whole Foods Market post

Oh how I love my slow cooker for cold weather meals for my family. Pinterest is my go-to place for recipes. Whole Foods for my bulk food purchases of quinoa, popcorn, dry beans and rice. With all the prep and mess of Thanksgiving, I think I'll take a break from cooking and use the slow cooker this week! Here's some ideas to save money using your slow cooker (or Crock Pot) from Whole Foods Market! *sponsored post

Check out WholeFoodsMarket.com for some great Thanksgiving meal ideas, including how to brine your bird, carve your turkey, breakfast ideas for morning guests, and showstopping dishes to impress. 

source

Value Meats and the Return of the Crock Pot:
Every day, Whole Foods Market offers exceptional values, and during the holidays, who doesn’t want a quality cut of meat at an exceptional price? With the weather turning a bit cooler and the nights lasting longer, now is the perfect time for braising and roasting, and the perfect opportunity to return to our old friend, the Crock Pot! Below are 5 tips for Slow Cooking Success:

·         Go budget-friendly – ingredients like beans, whole grains, and spices available in Whole Foods Market’s bulk section, let you buy the exact amount you need and experiment with many products at once for a great price
·         Trim the fat – too much fat left on meat will give you an unpleasant texture, and having to skim lots of fat at the end of cooking is not enjoyable
·         Think ahead – keep “kits” of chopped fresh veggies and meats in the freezer. That way, you’ll be ready to toss these ingredients in the Crock Pot in the morning in no time at all, with dinner ready by the time you come home!
·         Stay on Trend – save money while staying trending! Cheaper cuts of meat are all the rage at the top rated restaurants right now, and a crock-pot is the perfect tool to master these cuts at home. Thighs, beef chuck, brisket, shin, shoulders, oxtail; when cooked nice and slow these can be the most delicious bites.
·         Sear First – don’t forget to sear your meat first. Browned meat taste better, and the slow cooker does not get hot enough to get that done. For optimal taste, sear first then slow cook to lock in the moisture. (Except when it comes to chicken)

Recipes:
·         Slow Cooker Classic Pot Roast
·         Slow Cooker Pork and Cider Stew
·         Braised Beef Ribs

Monday, November 23, 2015

Fire Safety for Kids

There's always time to discuss fire safety with your kids. With the holidays come increased risk of accidents related to burns and fires. Here is a great info graphic brought to you by contractor quotes.us. You can find more tips and activities at their site here
fire safety for kids infographic.png

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Black Friday Shopping tips

Black Friday Shopping has started. Yes. Now. As soon as the ads have been leaked, it has started. If you are like me, and have little time and little money, this is kind of a big deal. In the past, my family has gotten about 80% of our Christmas shopping done on Black Friday. The rules and methods are changing now with some stores opening on Thanksgiving day. The addition of Cyber Monday, and sales starting even weeks before Black Friday, has made this a whole new game.

Here's a few tips based on tips I found over at LOZO.com. I'll break them down for you and add my "real life" input. (If you want their whole story, you can find it here.)

1. Start shopping online first. BF traditionally was about what was available in-store, but now you can find basically the same deals online. Starting early, like two weeks before Black Friday, will give you a good gauge on what's a deal and what's a usual discount. You need to see how low will they go pre-sales and then check them on Black Friday fliers and after. If that's too much documenting - check your prices online before you go to the store. (I'm known to actually search for the item when I'm there.) About everyone will price match to have your business. If they don't - have it ready to "add to cart" and check out online. Make sure your price takes into consideration shipping, as if it isn't free shipping that might be a reason a store would not match, but I have rarely, lately had anyone even ask anymore. It's kind of a given that if you find if for less somewhere else - they'll match it. I have gotten zero attitude about price matching at Target and Best Buy. These guys want your business. If you can bring a flyer or printed copy of the item and price - even better. Amazon, our go-to for almost everything we buy, is usually already at the lowest prices that Best Buy and Wal-Mart have so make sure you do your legwork and try to find other competitors that may have it listed less.
Amazon is still my top choice for online shopping, especially for gifts.

2. Cash back sites will multiply your savings. I have done this in the past, and I am terrible at remembering, but it's a no-brainer. Sites like Ebates all have cash back rebates if you purchase through their sites. Plus it's a great place to find coupon codes and deals on the internet. It's free money to click the links on their page that take you to the sites you want to buy from. Sign up for an account now at Ebates and you'll get a $5 credit to your account after your first $25 purchase. Click here.

3. Make a list. You have to know what you need to buy or the impulse purchases will run over your budget as some of the deals out there are hard to pass up. Just a word from an experienced Black Friday Pro - this is the best time of year to find deals on outerwear: coats, hats, gloves, scarves; electronics. (LED T.V.'s, game consoles, games) Pajamas for the whole family. Toys. jewelry, and
clothing, and small appliances. I wait until Black Friday to buy my kids their winter coats if it is at all possible as until winter clearance rolls around it is the lowest they'll go.

4. Utilize your apps. Your smartphones have access to many apps that can help you find deals quickly. From scanning barcodes, and pictures, to having circulars listed all in one app, you can use your smartphone to shop smarter. If you have an Android, even Google goggles is a great resource for deals. If you have the Amazon shopping app there is a barcode option you can use to scan anything you may be looking at to check the price comparison, and Redlaser will scan a barcode and search other online sites for you for comparison. Check out a list of some good apps to have on iphone at appolicious.com

Here's a few Black Friday Ads some out today to get you started.
Kohl's
Target
Amazon

*This post may contain affiliate links.

Target Black Friday and FREE Shipping 2015

*contains affiliate links* WCM's may receive a small commission for each purchase made through this site. Thanks for your support.



Target Black Friday deals are out. Start making your lists, and see the one-day deals coming up at this link. 

And there's no shame in online shopping with free shipping for all orders now until December 25th, 2015!! That beats standing in lines and dealing with crowds hands down. 

Save an extra 5% off holiday decor, 20% off Kitchenaid, cutlery, and tools and gadgets through 11/14, and it's Holiday Home Prep week all week with 20% off Home decor, furnishings and accessories. Save an extra $10 when you spend $50 or an extra $25 when you spend $100 with promo code HOME.

*affiliate links WCM may receive a small commission for each purchase made through this site. Thanks for your support.





Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Versona Store Now in New Market

*The following post is a paid review. I was compensated with a gift card. All opinions are mine.
 

Fall is definitely here, and I'm shifting through my closet to pull out the scarves and sweaters. (but keeping the shorts handy for afternoon - it's a Kansas thing.)
Sadly, my fall clothing selection is quite the disappointment, and could use some updating.

Versona asked for Wichita City Moms to review the new location at New Market Square on the North West side of Wichita off of Maize Road. This is a little bit of a trip for me in Andover, but I was all for it, because I love accessories, shoes, and bags, and Versona is known for all of those.

You may have seen my previous post on the Versona that opened in Bradley Fair. This was the first Versona to land in Wichita, the New Market location is the second. (Read about it here.)

If you have never been in a Versona store before, don't be intimidated by the upscale, department store feel. I'm talking sparkling chandeliers and Marble floors. It is pretty. This west side location is no exception. It just glows from the front windows! The good news is that there are no chandelier, marble floor prices: just great quality, selection, helpful service and prices you will love! My favorite place hands down for sunglasses, and any time I need just the right piece(s) of jewelry for an outfit or occasion this is my go-to place. (I am still carrying the wallet I bought on my first visit! See it on my previous post.)

The obsessive-compulsive, neurotic freak that I am loves that the store is color grouped, meaning all items in the same color family are in sections together. The biggest decision is do I start with black? Or white?

They also have lots of cute home accessory items and accessories for your accessories. (Something for anyone on your Christmas shopping list.) Head over to the markdowns for even better deals, and see the great variety of scarves I think I've seen anywhere! From lightweight to wool!

I picked up a light weight aztec styled fringe sweater and plaid flannel infinity scarf. (Got the sweater in the mark down section for $19.99 cause that's how I roll). I went over my $25 budget by about $9 with tax. Thanks Versona for the opportunity to review the new location, and if you have a chance to check it out they are located in New Market Square off of 21st street West and Maize Road. The store is next to the Michael's just South of Target. See a mall directory here.

Can't make it to either store location? They now have online shopping available at their website. See that here, shopversona.com


*I received compensation for my review, all opinions and shopping selections are my own.


Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Whole Foods for Fall and Halloween treats (gluten free and Organic) *sponsorpost

*sponsored post
Fall means pumpkins, the changing colors of leaves and one of our favorite holidays: Halloween! In the west, this is prime season for apple picking, delicious squash and, at Whole Foods Market, the arrival of delicious Icelandic lamb. Check out our ideas this month on how to make the most of what is many people’s favorite time of the year!

Macintosh HD:private:var:folders:sg:jdt3q14s0891bkczs3_hnff95y5q8f:T:TemporaryItems:719048.jpgApples:
Smell that? The air is crisp, leaves crunch beneath your feet. It must be fall, which means it’s prime time for some of our favorite varieties of apples. Below are some tips to help you choose the best ones, whether at Whole Foods Market or your favorite local orchard:
·         Don’t wash your apples until you are ready to eat them—unwashed apples store longer than washed ones
·         Store your apples in a cool, dark place to extend their shelf life until you’re ready to use them
·         While “one bad apple can spoil the bunch,” you can use bruised apples in delicious recipes, from applesauce and apple butter to smoothies and apple chips baked in the oven


Winter Squash:
Fall also heralds fresh squash season. With so many varieties, it can be intimidating to incorporate squash and pumpkins into your menu, but once you learn a few key techniques to cut and cook squash, you’ll want to add them into all your dishes through the New Year.

Exploring the wide variety of squash available at Whole Foods Market and farmer’s markets is one of the most rewarding culinary adventures you can take this fall. Butternut, Delicata, Spaghetti, Acorn, Kabocha, Hubbard, or Buttercup squash are just a few of the varieties to try, along with pie pumpkins. Most are grown locally in each state, so look for the local sign at your grocery to support farms near you.

Most people are intimidated by cutting squash—the key first step to preparing it for soups, casseroles, and entrees. These veggies can be large, unwieldy, and seem dangerous to the uninitiated! Here are some failsafe tips and techniques to get these cut down to size for use in your favorite dish:
·         Choosing the right knife is key to getting the job done—it should be long, heavy and extremely sharp—a flimsy or dull knife can be dangerous when cutting squash because it can slip and cause cuts
·         Stabilize the squash so it doesn’t roll out from under you and use the “claw” technique with your fingers to hold the veggie, should your knife slip (so no fingers are exposed to the blade)
·         Cut off both ends of the squash from where the “neck” ends and the body begins
·         Take the “body” of the squash in half from top to bottom and scoop out the seeds—you can dry or bake these for a delicious fall snack with a little sea salt later!
·         Begin to cut rings in the squash in the size you want the cubes to be—similar to cutting a cantaloupe
·         Cube out the remaining pieces around the same size (typically 1” or so)
Some people microwave their squash for 2 minutes prior to cutting to make it a little easier
Experimenting with fun varietals like Spaghetti Squash opens up great crock pot, oven and even microwave options to get vibrant fall fare on your table in a short amount of time.
 Recipes:Macintosh HD:private:var:folders:sg:jdt3q14s0891bkczs3_hnff95y5q8f:T:TemporaryItems:366-1.jpg
·         Winter Squash and Apple Soup
·         Raw Apple Crisp
·         Sweet Potato Apple Cake
·         Apple Cheddar Quesadillas

Squash Cooking Tutorials:
·         Spaghetti Squash
·         Butternut Squash

Also check out Whole Foods for gluten free and organic Halloween treats for your school and home parties. We love Annie's and Justin's product, get them now at Whole Foods.





*sponsored post 

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Aztec, Lace, Dots and Sequin Sweat Shirt! *affiliate post for Eleventh Avenue

Top It Off Event!
Up to 80% Off blouses, tees, and tanks during the Top It Off Event at Eleventh Avenue! https://www.eleventhavenue.com/event/590-

Adorable Graphic Shirts and Onesies - 5 Styles!—9.99:  Affiliate Link: Adorable Graphic Shirts and Onesies - 5 Styles!


Sequin Sweat Shirt Tunic - 2 Colors! —22.99:  Affiliate Link: Sequin Sweat Shirt Tunic - 2 Colors!


Polka Dot Top - 4 Colors! —17.99:  Affiliate Link: Polka Dot Top - 4 Colors!


Back Detail Tops - 5 Styles!—14.99:  Affiliate Link: Back Detail Tops - 5 Styles!


Floral Pocket Striped Tunic—15.99:  Affiliate Link: Floral Pocket Striped Tunic


Arrows Relaxed Dolman - Up to 2XL!—11.99:  Affiliate Link: Arrows Relaxed Dolman - Up to 2XL!



Top Sellers
Leather Moccasins - 44 Styles!—12.99:  Affiliate Link: Leather Moccasins - 44 Styles!


Polka Dot Baseball Tee - 4 Colors!—18.99:  Affiliate Link: Polka Dot Baseball Tee - 4 Colors!


Cut Out Baseball Tee - 3 Colors!—19.99:  Affiliate Link: Cut Out Baseball Tee - 3 Colors!


Please feel free to reach out with any questions or additional opportunities to promote these deals. 

Thank you,
The Eleventh Avenue Affiliate Team

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Back to school snacks and Eat local with Whole Foods Market *ambassador post

*ambassador post
Back-to-School timeKids are back in school and summer is on its way out the door! Whole Foods Market can be your easy and affordable resource for all things kids, food and healthy. Here are some of our favorite back-to-school tips that will keep kids smiling, without breaking the bank:
·         Lighten up on refined sugar – Satisfy a sweet tooth with fresh or dried fruit. Try crispy apples and sweet pears from Colorado’s Western Slope. These fruits are in season and oh-so-tasty this time of year.
·         Skip processed snacks – Prep raw fruits and veggies ahead and portion into reusable containers. Store in the front of the fridge, so they’re easy to find when hunger strikes.
·         Trade in hydrogenated oils and trans fats – Instead, choose foods with better fats, including olives, nuts and nut butters, avocados, seeds, eggs and certain types of fish.


Arugula Salad with Peaches and Blue Cheese
Eat local and in season: Lucky for you, local peaches and chilies from Hatch, NM and Pueblo, CO are in season now. These local and vibrantly flavorful treats won’t be around for long, so we recommend you start incorporating them in just about everything you can. Shopping tip: Whole Foods Markets near you are roasting these fresh daily—you can throw them into dishes with ease, or freeze them and enjoy later! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy them:

Peaches:
·         Rum Butter Glazed Grilled Peaches are perfect over ice cream or pound cake
·         This Arugula Salad with Peaches and Blue Cheese is flavored with extra-virgin olive oil, prosciutto and lemon.
·         Try this Peach Coconut Freeze for an elegant and easy summer dessert.



Hatch & Pueblo roasted chilies:
·         Chop up and add to mac and cheese
·         Slice and add to a grilled burger, for extra flavor
·         Bake into your favorite cornbread


 And make sure to drop by for the monthly Farmer's Market Events in the parking lot of Whole Foods Market, Wichita to check out local food trucks and even more locally grown and made here in Kansas. The next Farmer's Market is Wednesday, August 26th at 5pm-8pm. Follow their Facebook page for even more events and updates on future Farmer's Markets! 
facebook.com/wholefoodsmarketwichita

*ambassador post

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Gordman's Friends and Family discount

*affiliate post 
It's friends and Family Days at Gordman's. Here's an exclusive coupon good for your entire purchase from 8/20-8/23.
I love to use coupons at Gordman's, it makes their low prices even lower! Time to snag jeans and jackets, shoes and bags! 
You can also now shop online at their new website 24/7. You can use this discount online with promo code FAMILY. 
Thanks Gordman's for sending this to share with our readers!

Read about some of my past Gordman's shopping trips here, and here. 

Also find this coupon at their site here. 


Thursday, August 6, 2015

Lace and Lemons 75% off fall accessories event



Lace and Lemons Event!
Up to 75% off fall accessories during the Lace and Lemons Event at Eleventh Avenue! https://www.eleventhavenue.com/event/619

Little Lady Lace Boot Socks - 5 Colors!—$4.99: affiliate link: Little Lady Lace Boot Socks - 5 Colors!

Tassle Knit Infinity Scarf —$4.99:  Affiliate Link: Tassle Knit Infinity Scarf

Speckled Boot Socks - 3 Colors!—$7.99:  Affiliate Link: Speckled Boot Socks - 3 Colors!

So Fancy Faux Fur Vest —$15.99:  Affiliate Link: So Fancy Faux Fur Vest

Navy Plaid Scarves—$4:  Affiliate Link: Navy Plaid Scarves

Fall Button Boot Socks!—$6.99:  Affiliate Link: Fall Button Boot Socks!


Top Sellers
Adorable Graphic Shirts & Onesies - 5 Styles!—$9.99:  Affiliate Link: Adorable Graphic Shirts & Onesies - 5 Styles!

Sequin Sweat Shirt Tunic - 2 Colors! —$22.99:  Affiliate Link: Sequin Sweat Shirt Tunic - 2 Colors!

Arrows Relaxed Dolman - Up to 2XL!—$11.99:  Affiliate Link: Arrows Relaxed Dolman - Up to 2XL!

Polka Dot Top - 4 Colors! —$17.99:  Affiliate Link: Polka Dot Top - 4 Colors!

Monday, August 3, 2015

Elsa and Disney Princesses for your party!


Princess Pros Entertainment offers Princess visit parties, play dates, princess picnics in the park, and story times. 
Wichita City Moms readers can get 10% off any party package (excluding add-ons), just mention 
Wichita City Moms when booking to get your deal! 
Check it out!



**Update**
Princess Pros Entertainment will also be at Watermark Books and Cafe doing a story time with The Ice Sisters, on September 26th.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Fish your family will devour (WFM ambassador post)




This is an ambassador post for Whole Foods Market. I have received compensation for my post, all opinions are mine

Whole Foods Market sent me on a mission to buy and prepare in-season Swordfish currently available at my local Whole Foods Market. I had never tried swordfish before, so I was a bit apprehensive. The recipes on their website sounded delicious, and similar to another fish recipe I make for my family, that they love, so I was up for it.

Swordfish is a firmer fish and comes in steak like portions. There is not the "fishy" taste you get with other types of less expensive fish, the texture of the fish is more meaty and firmer than say Tilapia or Cod.

The link to the Whole Foods Recipe is here.  But here is my go to version of the same, of which is in the photo above.

Olive oil (about 2 Tbl)
1 large tomato or 2 medium diced
2 small zucchini squash (or a yellow and a green zucchini)
2 cloves garlic
4/5 small white potatoes diced or quartered
kalamata olives, pitted and halved, approx 1/4 cup
sea salt
Sword fish 3/4- 1 lb or 3 tilapia filets
juice of 1/2 a lemon or a capful of bottled lemon juice

dice veggies, and potatoes and place in baking dish tossing with the salt and olive oil.
Bake in a 350 oven for approximately 12 min or until potatoes are tender crisp
Add fish and arrange on top of vegetables, adding more olive oil as needed
scatter olives and lemon juice over top of all
return to oven and continue to bake until fish is flaky and vegetables are tender
30 -45 minutes total.

*note: the picture above I cooked 3/4 lb sword fish cut in two and omitted the potatoes.
The sword fish did take a bit longer to cook to my liking because it is so much thicker than Tilapia.
I have even used Cod for this dish but the Swordfish was divine!! This would also prepare really well on a grill -swordfish grills well because it is denser, just cook the veggies in a foil pack and then mix your cooked components before serving.

Yes, I pared mine with mac 'n cheese, (mom life), but it was the Alfredo cheese flavor and it paired nicely with the fish and veggies. With potatoes added to this recipe it is a one dish meal! My kids always eat this well and it is a fast meal to prepare for a family!

You can find Swordfish for a limited time at your local Whole Foods Market. Find more recipes and tips for preparing Swordfish at the link here! Including 10 Recipes just for Summer.

This is an ambassador post for Whole Foods Market. I have received compensation for my post, all opinions are mine.


Monday, July 13, 2015

How to Eat out for Less

Eating out in our family used to be a requirement of our busy lifestyle. Now that we have become  a frugal family, and have more mouths to feed, eating out expenses are carefully fit into a budget and done only when absolutely necessary or as a splurge or special occasions. Oh yes, how I miss fine dining. I would love to be able to eat at some of my favorite mexican or italian places at least once a week. But the big picture of the other great activities and purchases we can make instead of spending it all on restaurants is worth it!

Here are my own personal tips on how to eat out for less. Hopefully, like for us, it saves you a few dollars at least, so you can enjoy your meal, without guilt about the budget.



1. Order water. This one I started doing just for health and diet reasons. And amazingly enough, the food tastes a lot better without all that sugary soda.  Put some lemon wedges in it, and some sugar, and you have lemonade! Save the glass of wine for when you get home, as the cost of alcohol on a dining out bill can run as much as an entree!

2. Order an appetizer, or ask for lunch sized portions.  Most places may not have lunch sized items listed on their dinner menu, but ask and you may be able to still get the lunch size portion at dinner.

3. Share an entree. Everything is still so super-sized that splitting a meal is usually enough food for two people. Think you are hungry enough to eat more? Order your own side salad.  This is usually still cheaper than ordering your own entree. This also works really well with my older tween kids that are too hungry for a kids meal but can't yet eat their own adult meal.

4. Eat dinner early so that you can order off the lunch menu. This is good for health as well, as we all know eating after 8pm when watching your weight is a no no. The other option if you must eat out is to eat out for lunch instead of dinner. (Gives you more time to digest!)

5. Buy an entertainment book or fundraiser card. Schools and group organizations start selling these usually in the fall for fundraising purposes.  The benefit goes two ways.

6. Know the specials/discount days at your favorite places.  Especially when dining out with the whole family. There are a lot of restaurants in town that offer kids eat free or discounts on the kids menu on certain nights of the week.  Ask around or check the facebook pages of your favorite restaurants for specials, promotions, and kids-eat-free nights. I have found that Wednesday's are a popular night for deals.

7. Coupons. Check the Sunday coupon section, back of the phone book, or sign up for emails on the restaurant website. Sometimes just for signing up you get a great coupon for a visit. Don't forget snail mail, look out for the bulk mailers with coupons, make a stack and choose your dinner from your selection. Get familiar with some of the couponing, thrifty Mom bloggers out there. I like Money-Saving MomWichita on the Cheap, Thrifty Wifey, and there's tons more.  I have also found that websites for news and radio offer some sponsor deals as well. Check out fetchtoto.com for a listing of deals all in one place (provided by Wichita on the Cheap), There are some great deals to be found. Sign up for deal sites like Groupon, and Living Social, for 1/2 if not more savings. A lot of locally owned restaurants are now getting in on group deals.

8.  Be open to freebies or deals in unusual places. My favorite freebie was a local dealership was offering a very nice gift card to a very expensive restaurant just for test driving a particular new car. Going through the whole sales spiel, and knowing what our reward would be at the end, (date night!!) was worth it.  No commitment, and no stress. Just make sure you don't break down and come home with a new car too. ;)

9. Avoid restaurants where you have to tip. Rather than being a cheapskate and not tipping enough, just skip these places and save anywhere from 10-20% off your bill.

10. Make your favorite restaurant meals at home. Allrecipes.com is my favorite recipe site and there are thousands of recipes on there.  Type in just a few of the ingredients and it will pull up all that match. You never know, it may actually turn out tasting better than the restaurant makes it.

11. Walk out if it doesn't fit the budget, or glance at the menu before you sit.

12.  Plan ahead.  If you fall into the trap of having to eat out because of a busy schedule, plan ahead and make up meals you can freeze and heat. You'll find that doesn't take any more time than the time it takes to decide, get there, and order. Our busy nights usually turn into our left over nights, or sandwich nights or grab and eat it nights.  Check out makeaheadmeals.blogspot for 100 recipes that are all for making in advance. Money Saving Mom posts her menu list each week, and has freezer cooking days where she shares recipes and menus.

These tips have worked for our family, hope you can use some of them as well.  If you're looking to save money, and cut back on your household expenses, this is one of the easier ways to do it.
Let me know, what has your family done to cut back on the eating out bill?
Check out these websites for more tips on saving on dining out:
 Sheknows.com, and Sheknowschef.com,