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!!