Teacher Appreciation at Office Max

This one kind of snuck up on me, but today and tomorrow (August 1st), are Teacher Appreciation Days at Office Max. Show your Max Perks Rewards Card (and/or teacher ID) and grab a reusable tote and other FREE goodies, including a 2011-2012 planner (with coupons to use each month during the year), box of paperclips, Post-It products, and other coupons. You also get a one-time-use coupon for 20% off whatever you can fit in your bag.


While you're there... grab some rulers and crayons for a penny each (limit of 2 per item).

Cheap Admission to CMoR

To celebrate their 30th birthday, the Children's Museum of Richmond (CMoR) is hosting 30 cent admission days on the 30th of each month- that's TODAY. Adults are required to pay the full price ($8 or $7 for those 60 and up), but kids only pay 30 cents. Keep in mind that there must be 1 adult for every 5 children.

Cool off with their Backyard Waterplay exhibit, or enjoy the air conditioned entertainment indoors. They're open until 5 PM.

This offer is only valid at the original (downtown) location.

Book Covers

Gone are the days of covering textbooks with drab brown paper bags (or wallpaper if you grew up in our household). Stretchable book covers are the eco- (and wallet) friendly way to go. Now is the time of year to stock up on them, and most cost under $1. The patterns are endless! Their being machine washable is an added bonus.

I've really been into reading this summer and like to take the book sleeve off my hardcover books and slip a cover on instead. It offers more protection for the book from summer hazards, like wet pool towels or sticky, sunscreen-covered hands.

No-Fry Fries

These are a great alternative to deep-frying. This super simple recipe is from one Ms. Gwyneth Paltrow!

Ingredients:

- 2 large russet potatoes

- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 tsp coarse sea salt

* bowl

* cookie sheet

* For 2 people, you might want to cut the recipe in half.*

Directions:

- Pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees.

- Scrub the potatoes, and cut each in half horizontally and then in about 1/3-inch thick slices.

- Put slices in a bowl of cold water.

- Remove and dry thoroughly.

- Toss with oil and place on a cookie sheet.

- Sprinkle with salt.

- Roast until brown (25 minutes) and turn occasionally.

Enjoy!!

Crab Cakes

I saw this recipe in Taste of Home and gave it a try. Jason raved about them! I've got to warn you that some of the ingredients may not be things that you normally keep in your fridge/cabinets, so acquiring all of them can add up. The good news is that this recipe makes 6 good size crab cakes (essentially 3 servings).
Ingredients:

-1 egg (beaten)

- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

- 1/2 cup mayonnaise

- 3/4 tsp. Old Bay seasoning

- 1/2 tsp. lemon juice

- 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

- 1/8 tsp. white pepper

- 1 lb. fresh lump crab meat

- 2 Tbsp. canola oil (or cooking spray)
* large bowl

* large frying pan

Directions:

- In the large bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, Old Bay, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper.

- Add the crab meat.

- Shape the mix into 6 patties.

- Add oil to the frying pan and cook crab cakes for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side (or until browned). You might want to use 2 medium size pans if it seems like the cakes are too close together.

The cakes pair nicely with "No-Fry Fries" (see next blog for recipe details).

National Cheesecake Day

Mmmmm... cheesecake! Mmmmm... cheesecake 1/2 off!! This Saturday, July 30th is National Cheesecake Day. If you dine-in at any Cheesecake Factory Restaurant on Saturday, you can enjoy a slice of scrumptious cheesecake for 1/2 the price. What a sweet deal!

Hello Walgreens!

I've been anxiously awaiting Walgreens to open near us and that day has finally arrived. Here are a few deals taking place there this week that are too good to pass up, but you must have a Walgreens Rewards Card. If you don't have a Rewards Card, you can get one at the register and start using it right away.

- Sharpie Markers (any color) are only 39 cents each with the coupon in their weekly ad. (limit 3)

- Scunci Hair Elastics are on sale for $1.50. Score a $3 Register Reward when you buy 2... making your purchase of 2 essentially FREE.

- Skintimate Shave Cream or Gel is on sale with the coupon in their ad for $1.99 (regularly $3.99). I had 2 separate $1 off coupons from the paper that made them only 99 cents each.

-Pure Silk Shave Gel is on sale for $.99 (with coupon) and there was an $.80 off coupon in the paper a few weeks ago. That made it a total of 19 cents!!

-Crest 3D White Toothpaste is also a good buy this week. Each box is $2.49, and when you buy 2, you get a $3 Register Reward. I used 2 separate $.75 off coupons (since I was buying 2), which makes the 2 about 48 cents!!

Beat the Heat

Looking for a way to beat the heat? Regal and Bowtie Cinemas are offering movies at 10 AM every Tuesday and Wednesday during the summer.
At Bowtie... the movies are FREE and doors open at 9 AM. Keep in mind it's a "first come, first served" scenario as far as seating goes. Check out the following link for additional information and movie titles: http://www.bowtiecinemas.com/summer_2011.html

At Regal... the movies cost $1 each (very reasonable!) and it seems as though they show a different movie on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week. Check out this link for more information on participating theaters: http://www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress/default.aspx

If you can't stand the heat... go to the movies!!

Garbage Disposal Refresher

Could your garbage disposal go for a little freshening up? Real Simple suggests letting a few ice cubes and a little baking soda take a run through your disposal. This should give the blades a nice workout and the baking soda can help neutralize odors.

A Little Extra Shut-Eye

Most research supports the benefits behind a cat nap (approximately 30 minutes) in the afternoon to improve productivity and concentration. The University of California, Berkley, is focusing on research that supports the notion of the need to get a little extra shut-eye when taking an afternoon nap. They believe that 90 minutes of sleep helps to "increase the ability to learn" post nap time, due to the fact that the mind is able to get into a deeper sleep and therefore "help to clear short term memory". So maybe you shouldn't rule out an afternoon nap.

$2.00 Starbucks Beverage

Did you know that you can grab a grande Starbucks beverage for just $2.00? Here's how... make a purchase at a Starbucks in the morning and then bring that receipt to a Starbucks after 2 PM that same day. In return, you get a 16 oz. iced beverage for $2 (plus tax). That makes your drink 1/2 off (or more). This deal will be effective until September 5th.

(To the Indiana readers... for some reason this offer is not valid in Indianapolis... sorry!)

Lunch for $5.99

I convinced my hubby to treat me to lunch today and I took advantage of Applebee's "soup, salad, and bread" lunch for $5.99. You pick your soup (Tomato Basil, French Onion, or the soup of the day) and your salad (House, Caesar, or Spinach). It's "all you can eat", so if you want to mix it up and try something different on your second round, go ahead! The offer is good Monday through Saturday until 4 PM. You can't beat the price!

Free Tape

Looking for some Back-to-School goodies? Print a $.50 off any Scotch tape dispenser from Target.com and then scoot to your local Target to get a Scotch tape dispenser for FREE. They're on sale this week for 50 cents each... perfect!

Plaza Azteca

We trekked out this evening to Plaza Azteca. It was well worth the trip! They have opened 2 locations in Richmond and pride themselves on authentic Mexican cuisine. The food was very fresh and there seemed to be an abundance of waitstaff ready to serve. Be sure to try their homemade guacamole ($6.99)! It's made fresh at your table and there's plenty to share.(Fun Fact- If you have a Henrico Advantage Card, you can save $5 when you purchase 2 meals and 2 drinks- Sunday through Thursday.)

Let Your Luggage Multitask

I saw this advertised in Shape and must admit that it's a very resourceful idea.

Eagle Creek has a new rolling bag that might make your life a little easier when traveling. Their "Traverse Pro 22" is technically 3 bags in one. The overall bag has a sturdy handle and durable wheels. It should meet regulations for carry-ons. What sets this bag apart is the fact that the front unzips to reveal a separate back pack. The back pack can easily be used at your destination. An additional bonus is that there is a padded laptop case in the back pack, so no need for additional baggage. Visit www.eaglecreek.com to order or for more information.

The downside is that the bag will set you back $300, however, Eagle Creek has a "No Matter What Warranty" in the event your bag should have a mishap. The bag comes in 3 different colors as well.

Shine On

If you love the look of a fresh, natural, shiny manicure, Revlon's got you covered. Their "Crazy Shine" nail buffer boasts shinier nails in just seconds. The two-sided tool is compact and clean, so you can touch up your nails quickly and easily. The green side gently buffs nails, while the white side gives a brilliant shine. Thumbs up to an effortless manicure!

The World's Your Oyster

Picture this... you are so exciting about booking a trip you've dreamed out only to arrive and discover that the accommodations are less than desirable. Sadly, sometimes the photos used on hotel and resort websites have been edited to the point that they are no longer accurate. Check out http://www.oyster.com/ to see actual photos that have not been photo shopped to get a better idea of where you're headed.

You can search the site by destination and narrow your search to find hotels with the best guestrooms or nicest bathrooms. Keep in mind that the site is continuing to grow and don't have information for many popular destinations yet. You can book your stay through the site and they promise to price match should you find a lower price somewhere else.

Take this photo for example. It is published as an advertisement for a resort in the Bahamas. How luxurious to be on a secluded white sand beach! It looks as though the location is very private. You can grab a lounge chair right by the ocean and relax.




Look again... This is an actual photo taken of the same location where you can clearly see that the beach draws a few more folks and you'll have to do some careful maneuvering to get to the ocean due to the abundance of lounge chairs.

Seeing is believing...

More Savings...

On our last 2 visits to Kroger, we've saved over $50 each trip. Here are a couple of ways to make your total savings really add up this week...

- Crayola crayons (24 pack) are on sale for 25 cents. They normally retail for $2.25! Look for them nestled on the office supply aisle (you know... the part of the aisle that you always skip over because who would buy office supplies at Kroger??).

-There was a coupon in the paper recently for 75 cents off 2 bags of M&Ms (the small bags that you'll see by the registers). They're on sale (2 for $1), so you're really only paying a quarter for both.

- There are several other money savers compliments of their Mega Savings Event. Your best bet is to focus on these items that you have coupons for.

Freebies at Target

I came across these deals thanks to the Krazy Coupon Lady...

Print off the following coupons from Target.com:

- $1 off Sharpie permanent marker item

- $1 off any Papermate writing utensil item

- $.50 off any Scotch magic tape item

(and maybe the $1 off any 2 Ziploc products while you're at it).

Head yourself over to the slowly growing school supply section and grab the following:

- a 2 pack of fine point Sharpies

- a 10 pack of red, blue, or black Papermate pens

- a single Scotch tape dispenser

You'll end up paying:

- NOTHING for the Sharpies! Don't panic if the price on the bin says $1.54. They should be on sale for $1 and with your $1 off coupon, that makes them free.

- The Papermate pens are $1.02 and with your $1 off coupon you'll fork over a whole 2 cents.

- The tape is $1 and your coupon cuts the price in half.

- If you're looking to grab some Ziplocs while you're there, they're on sale for $2.50 each. With the $1 off coupon, that means you'll get 2 boxes for $4. The deal would be more enticing if you could pair it with a manufacturers coupon.

That Time of Year...

I'm not quite ready to accept that school supply shopping is already upon us. Target is slowly converting their seasonal department to make room for the immanent bins of crayons and markers. Staples seems to have jumped the gun a little bit with some early sales, but some things might be worth the trip.

If you spend $5, you can take advantage of their "extreme deals"- including pink cap erasers, Bic pens, and glue for only a penny each. There is a limit of 2 items each per person. The 8 pack of pens is probably the best steal of those deals, followed by the cap erasers. The penny deals are only available until Wednesday.

Some items are on sale for 25 cents and do not require a $5 minimum purchase. Items like "stickie" tabs and Bic mechanical pencils will only set you back a quarter. (Again, there is a limit of 2 of each item per person.)

Then there are some items that are on sale for $1. My personal fav is the 5 pack of black Sharpie markers. They regularly retail there for $4.79.

Free Slurpees

Head on over to your local 7 Eleven on Monday (7/11) for a free Slurpee. It's 7 Eleven's birthday, but you benefit with a chilly beverage (all 7.11 ounces)! Stop in anytime on Monday to take advantage of this special offer.

S'mores- Minus the Fire

Here's a kid-friendly way to make s'mores without the flames. (Thanks, Morgan!)

1. On a microwave safe plate, put 1/2 of a graham cracker and a piece of chocolate (approximately 2 squares if you're using a Hershey's bar) and microwave for 5 seconds.

2. Remove the plate and place 1 marshmallow on each chocolate/graham cracker piece and heat again in the microwave for 10 seconds (or until the marshmallow looks like it's ready to explode... whichever comes first). Careful supervision is helpful.

3. Quickly add the other 1/2 of the graham cracker to the marshmallow and squish it down.

4. Enjoy your tasty and sticky snack!

Say Cheese!... Or Celery!

Perhaps you enjoy sipping a glass of red wine, but don't enjoy the way it stains your teeth. While it might not be appropriate to whip out a toothbrush and start brushing, you can try these tips from Prevention Magazine instead. They say that snacking on cheese while drinking a red wine will help because it assists in balancing the pH. Your other option would be to eat some celery. It's rough texture can act like a toothbrush, gently rubbing teeth until you get a chance to brush.

Skin Soother

Did you miss a spot with your sunscreen and now have a lovely red spot in its place? Try this remedy recommended by Self. Slice a frozen grape in half and then rub the flat side on your skin. The grape's natural antioxidants should help soothe skin.

Fun Fact= Snack on the extra frozen grapes for a tasty, chilly treat!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame...

What better American summer past time than watching a ballgame? If you find yourself at a stadium and feel the need to visit the concessions stand, you might want to check out the nutritional information in your potential treats before you go. Visit www.nutritiondata.com to get a better handle on the calories in ballpark staples. It may not sway your taste buds (seriously... who can say no to the ice cream in a tiny baseball helmet bowl??), but at least you're armed with the information.

Variety is the Spice of Life

If you love dousing your favorite foods with hot and spicy sauces, think twice about the about of sodium in your favorite condiment. Shape recommends switching to a salt-free option or try Tabasco Brand Sauce, which has 35 milligrams of sodium per teaspoon. This way you can kick up the flavor without sending your blood pressure through the roof.

Feeling Queasy?

Summer travel might mean motion sickness. About 33% of people suffer from motion sickness, and if you're one of them (or know someone who does) you might want to give Queasy Pops a try.

These suckers are all natural with ingredients that help soothe nausea, upset tummies, and stabilize blood sugar. You can find them at places like Target or check out http://www.threelollies.com/ for more information. A box of 7 is around $4. There is even a version of Queasy Pops for kids who also suffer from the same symptoms. For those who would like to look a tad less conspicuous, try some Queasy Drops instead.