Reminder: Free Chocolate Friday!

Grab your coupon for a FREE Mars Chocolate bar here.

You can win up to four of these from now through September.

The Children's Place: 25% off your ENTIRE purchase - Expires 8/1/09

The Children's Place is offering 25% off your ENTIRE purchase, online and in stores, for 2 days only. Savings ends August 1, 2009. Use code STDSE when shopping online or print this coupon to save in-store.

In addition, you can make your purchase through Ebates to earn 3% back on your purchase, 3% back if you shop through Upromise, or 3% through Mr. Rebate. Who doesn't like earning money back on their purchases?

Walgreens: 15% off - One Day Only, July 31, 2009

Walgreens is offering their friends and family discount to all customers today with this coupon. You should be able to score some good deals when combined with your coupons and ad sales.

Home Made Simple Coupon Booklet

I love this booklet, it has great coupons. There's usually a coupon for a free product too. All you need to do is register HERE and wait for it to arrive!

30% OFF @ Gap, Old Navy, & Banana Republic

Now through August 2, 2009, you can get 30% off your purchase at Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and their Outlet Stores with this coupon. You can use the coupon as many times as you'd like, and 5% of your purchase will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Coupon Inserts for 8/2/09

There is the possibility of 5 inserts being in your paper this Sunday - August 2, 2009. They are 2 Red Plum, 1 Smart Source, 1 P&G and 1 Other (Kellogg's and Keebler coupons).

Remember that when you purchase your paper from the store, you are not guaranteed coupon inserts. I would check each paper before purchasing multiples. Or save money and trees, purchase only the coupons you need at The Coupon Clippers.

Rite Aid: $5 off $25 Purchase Coupon

Headed to Rite Aid? Don't forget to print you $5 off $25 purchase coupon. The coupon is available from the coupons.com widget on my left side bar.

Wordless Wednesday: Mud Bog

I haven't done a Wordless Wednesday post for a while (mainly because of time). So, I thought I would share pictures from our fun Saturday afternoon/evening.




Click here to see more Wordless Wednesday posts.

The Cheesecake Factory: Half Price Slice of Cheesecake - July 30, 2009

It's National Cheesecake Day tomorrow! In honor of this special occasion, The Cheesecake Factory is offering their cheesecake slices at half price (any flavor) when you dine-in. Yum-ilicous! If they have the pumpkin still, I recommend get that one. Go here to find a location near you.

Target:: Huggies Deal - Good until 8/29/09

Target is running a Huggies deal. Until 8/29/09, you'll receive a $5 Target Gift Card when you buy two (2) HUGGIES® Diapers Special Packs. Click here for more details.

Snack Time: Smart Ones Flatbread

We had such a busy weekend that I didn't get to go to the grocery to pick up bread, produce, eggs and milk on Sunday. This resulted in me not having anything to pack for my lunch. I was able to dig up a few snacks though.

Rather than go out to a restaurant (aka Panera Bread) to get lunch, I decided to go to Wal-Mart (closer and cheaper). I went up and down every aisle but nothing looked or sounded good until I went through the frozen food. I'll admit that I'm a make it fresh kind of gal versus frozen meal eater but I really didn't have much choice.I found a Smart Ones Chicken Marinara with Mozzarella Cheese Grilled Flatbread. I cooked it for the "softer" bread. It was yum-ilicous!! It was only $2.50 too (a lot cheaper than a restaurant would have been). It had really good flavor, not the frozen been microwaved taste. IT was 6 WW points (290 calories, 6g fat, 3 fiber). It was a little higher in points that what I like to have for lunch but paired with a side salad and fruit it was alright.

Event: Home Depot Kids Clinic - Saturday, August 1st

The Home Depot Kids Workshop for August will take place on Saturday, August 1st. Not familiar with this clinics? You can read some my previous posts here and here about the Home Depot and Lowe's Kid's Clinics.

August 1st @ Home Depot – 9am-noon: Message CenterMark your calendars for the September clinic too - Saturday, September 5

Menu Plan Monday - 7/26/09

Our menu planning really didn't go as well as planned last week. Things got so busy around here. It was easier for us just to throw something in the oven rather than spend a lot of time preparing dinner. Even though it wasn't as planned, it wasn't ordering out or going out for dinner which works for me. I'm hoping this week will go a little more as planned. I even plan on making a Super Light Blueberry Cream Pie this week too.

1. Turkey Stuffed Peppers

2. Jamaican Rubbed Pork Chops, grilled veggies, fruit salad
3. Homemade Pizza
4. Orange Teriyaki Chicken
5. Bourbon Chicken and rice

To see more menu plans, visit Organized Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Weigh In - Week ending 7/25/09

I'm a little late posting my weigh in for this past week - busy week. I was down 2.2 pounds on my scale! On Saturday, I weighted in down 3.2 pounds at Weight Watchers. I'm 3.8 pounds away from my next goal that I want to hit by August 8th.

This week I focused on my workouts. I have been running, walking and strength training. My fiance’ helped me put together some new strength training workouts. I thought I was working all or nearly all my muscle groups in my arms doing the moves that I had. I was wrong. He had me using muscles that I didn’t even know existed. I hope after all these there isn’t any jiggle left in my arms. He was quite amazed by my ability to do so many weighted squats and weighted walking lunges. All my muscle is in my legs/lower body. I don’t have any upper body strength (yet) but I’m working on it now. I’m also working towards my first 5K. I’m still hoping my brother will join me (maybe even my sister and sister-in-law).

My food choices weren’t bad this week. I’ve been trying to lower the amount of coffee that I’m drinking in the morning and trying to add oatmeal, cereal or an egg white omelet (loaded with veggies). It’s been a little rough on my mood swings but I’m hoping to ditch (for the most part) my coffee habit by the end of the year. I finally got the Blueberry Bloom donut from Tim Horton’s that I’ve been wanting. I had said if they would let me try it I’d be set for a while. I did just that yesterday when they were giving away free blueberry donuts. Blueberries are my favorite and I pretty much like anything blueberry…blueberry syrup, pancakes, muffins, cereal….all of it. So, yesterday I ENJOYED my donut. No, my diet didn’t come to a screeching halt. I satisfied a craving that I was having so I could continue without experiencing a major crash in my diet.

One thing that I wanted to mention this week is that my weight loss goal isn’t to be skinny or fit into my size 2 or 4 jeans that have been hanging in my closet for almost 6 years – it’s more about feeling better about myself. I am proud of myself for sticking to my weight loss goals this time around. By losing the weight that I have, I’ve been able to enjoy life more. Life’s too short to pass all that by. I’m not longer sitting around watching my kids play or not doing other things because I felt I was too big. I’m out there with my kids playing kick ball, basketball and riding bikes. I’ve got more energy too which helps to keep up with my two energetic boys. Besides that, I am a happier person and have a better attitude towards things (except work). (My advice – “Never go back to a place you’ve been in the past that you didn’t like. It won’t be any better than the first time.”)

How’s your weight loss coming along? Have you made any changes to your exercise routine recently? What’s working for you? What other goals are you hoping to accomplish with losing weight?

Goal 12/31/09	56.2
2009 Weight Loss-to-date	-27.6

Weight Watcher Weight Loss (Updated on Saturday)

Goal #5 - Aug 8	38.2
Weight Loss (since 3/11/09)	-34.4

Coupon Inserts for 7/26/09

There will be 2 inserts in Sunday's paper - July 26, 2009. It will be a Smart Source and a Red Plum insert.

Remember that when you purchase your paper from the store, you are not guaranteed coupon inserts. I would check each paper before purchasing multiples. Or save money and trees, purchase only the coupons you need at The Coupon Clippers.

It will have AcneFree, Ball Park Franks and One a Day coupons.

Starbucks: Free Pastry w/Beverage Purchase - July 21, 2009

Do you stop by Starbucks for your morning cup of coffee? Have breakfast on Starbucks with this coupon. You can enjoy a free pastry with purchase of a beverage on July 21, 2009 from opening until 10:30 am.

Menu Plan Monday - 7/20/09

Well, we've decided to try a few items that we haven't had in a while. I'll post the Beef & Vegetable Stroganoff-topped Potato recipe as soon as I can. Since football there is football camp twice this week and the kids will be spending two nights working with their pigs, I tried to keep out menu simple.

1. Chicken Fajitas
2. Beef & Vegetable Stroganoff-topped Potato (recipe to be posted)

3. Footlong Coneys
4. Jamaican Rubbed Pork Chops, grilled veggies, fruit salad
5. Homemade Pizza

I will also be making a few freezer meals over the week - this is one of them Orange Teriyaki Chicken.

To see more menu plans, visit Organized Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

School Supply Sales - Week of 7/19/09 - 7/25/09

Here are a few of the school supply sales for this week.

Target
Elmer’s Glue Sticks 2 pk - $0.20
Erasers 2 pk - $0.20
Pencil Sharpeners or Rulers - $0.20 each
Construction Paper 96ct - $0.80
Crayola Colored Pencils 12pk - $0.88
Composition Books - $0.50

CVS
*School Supply Deals - Good Sunday and Monday ONLY*
Caliber or CVS Memo Book 50-80 Sheets - $0.99, Get $0.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
Caliber or CVS No. 2 Pencils 24ct - $1.99, Get $1.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
1" Vinyl Binder - $3.00, Get $3.00 ECBs (Limit 2)

Walgreens
FREEBIES:
Pilot G2 Pens 2 pk $1 - $1 RR = FREE

$.09 sales:
Penway Highlighter
White Posterboard
#2 Pencils (single)
Penway 2-pocket folder

$.19 sales:
Papermate Pens 10 pk
Papermate Prism Pens 10 pk
100 pk Acco Paper Clips
Papermate Mechanical Pencils 5 ct
Penway Flexible or Wood Ruler
2 pocket Penway Poly Folder with Prongs

$.29 sales:
Pencil top erasers 15 pk
Pink eraser 2 pk
Wooden pencils 10 pk

$.39 sales:
Transparent Scotch Tape
White glue
Penway Poly Binder

$.49 sales:
Bic Brite Liner Highlighters - 5pk
Crayons Pencil box
24 ct Penway Crayons
8 pk Penway Jumbo Crayons

$.59 sales:
Pencil sharpener
Scotch mailers

$.99 sales:
Stretch Book Cover
Crayola Color Pencils 12 pk
3 subject Penway Notebook, 120 Sheets

Wal-Mart
Crayola Crayons 24ct $0.15
Crayola Washable Markers 8ct - $0.75
Crayola Colored Pencils 12ct - $1.00
Elmers Glue or Elmers Glue Sticks - $0.15
Black and White Composition Notebooks - $0.35
Crazart Washable Markers 11ct - $0.70
Scissors - $0.74
RoseArt Paint 8ct - $1.00

Staples
School supplies listed in this post.

Weight Watcher's Weigh In - 7/18/09

As expected, I had a gain this week at Weight Watchers. It was only a 0.2 pound gain (thank goodness). I really don't have anything new to say about it. I think I covered it all on Wednesday in this post.

I've got 7 pounds to lose in 3 weeks... The workouts have begun! I've even found my first 5K to run. I've got my sister starting the Couch to 5K program in hopes of her joining in on the 5K. I'm hoping my brother (Mr. Cross Country) will run with me that day too, if he doesn't do one of the longer races.

Weight Watcher Weight Loss (Updated on Saturday)

Goal #5 - Aug 8	38.2
Weight Loss (since 3/11/09)	-31.2

Staples Deals - Week of 7/19/09 - 7/25/09

I wanted to pass along some of the great deals that Staples will be having starting Sunday, July 19, 2009. Click here to see the ad sneak peek. On Sunday and after, you will find the ad here.

Buy Any Backpack, get 100% back in Staples Rewards! Purchase price paid for backpack will be credited to customer's Staples Rewards account. Must be a member of Staples Rewards. Valid for purchases 7/19/09-7/25/09.

Zebra Cadoozles Mechanical Pencils 10-pack $2.99 - $2.99 Easy Rebate = FREE

Zebra Sarasa Retractible Gel Pens 5-pack $4.99 - $4.99 Easy Rebate =FREE

Pentel Retractible Highlighters 4-pack $4.99 - $4.99 Easy Rebate = FREE

Staples Slim Line Pencil Sharpener $15.99 - $5.99 Instant Savings - $10 Easy Rebate = FREE

There are many other items priced at $1 and $2 each.

Tim Horton's: Free Blueberry Donut - July 21, 2009

Stop by a participating Tim Horton's store on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 from 6:00 - 10:00 am to try a new Blueberry Glazed or Blueberry Bloom donut for FREE!

McDonald's: Free Mocha Mondays

Every Monday until August 3, 2009, between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, you can get a free sample of iced or hot mocha for free at participating McDonald's. If you've been tempted to try their new line of McCafe beverages but were afraid to take the plunge, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for.

The last time they ran the free mocha promotion I tried the hot mocha - yum-licious!!

Borders: SpongeBob Day of Happiness - Saturday, July 18, 2009

In celebration of the SpongeBob SquarePant's 10th Anniversary, Borders stores will host a SpongeBob Day of Happiness kids event on Saturday, July 18, 2009 beginning at 2:00 pm. In addition to enjoying a variety of entertaining activities, fans can also look forward to receiving fun prizes and giveaways. Click here to find a store location near you.

IKEA - Sieze The Day Sale and Free Breakfast - July 18-19, 2009

IKEA is having a two day sale offers with free breakfast valid Saturday, July 18 - Sunday, July 19, 2009 only until 10:30 am. One small breakfast (99 cents) and one cup of coffee (99 cents) is included in the free breakfast.

Click here for more information.

Walgreens: $5 off $25 purchase coupon - Good July 16 and 17, 2009

It's been a while since we've seen Walgreens issue a coupon like this one. Walgreens issued a new $5 off your $25 purchase coupon for July 16 and 17, 2009! Go here to print your coupon now!

Coupon Inserts for 7/19/09

There will be 1 insert in Sunday's paper - July 19, 2009. It will be a Smart Source insert.

Remember that when you purchase your paper from the store, you are not guaranteed coupon inserts. I would check each paper before purchasing multiples. Or save money and trees, purchase only the coupons you need at The Coupon Clippers.

It will have Fiber One and Huggies coupons.

Weigh In Wednesday - 7/15/09

Well, it's a disappointing week here. I gained 1 pound according to my scale. I was forced to think about what caused it. Here's my conclusion:

1. Food Journal - no problems. I did use all my allowance points and I normally don't use them all. I don't think that was my problem,

2. Exercise Journal - ugh, it's blank! Problem! I'm aware of the problem and mentioned it in my Weight Watcher Weigh In post this week. I've already improved in this area. I've worked out the past two nights.

3. I'm comfortable in my clothes. Yep, you read that right. My clothes are now 2 sizes too big so I don't see my weight as much of an issue as I did 4 months ago. I've decided to gather a few of my favorite "bigger" pants and have my sister take them in at the waist. They will still be comfortable but not so comfortable that I forget that I have weight to lose. I've also pulled a few smaller pairs of pants to the front of my closet...hopefully that will help.

Will this weight gain make me less motivated? Of course not! If anything, it will help me to get on the right track (the exercising one).

How are you doing on your weight loss? Have you had an "ah ha" moment where you realize what you needed to do to get back on track for your weight loss goals?

Goal 12/31/09	56.2
2009 Weight Loss-to-date	-25.4

Weight Watcher Weight Loss (Updated on Saturday)

Goal #5 - Aug 8	38.2
Weight Loss (since 3/11/09)	-31.4

Menu Plan Monday - 7/13/09

This week I decided to menu plan. I haven't been so thorough with it. I write it up and sometimes it gets posted but it normally doesn't get followed. We've found ourselves eating soup and grilled cheese which normally isn't something that makes it onto my menu. My fiance' and boys like their meat with their meals. It's great because we haven't really used a lot of our frozen meat. It's also kept me from grocery shopping with the exception of produce, eggs, milk and bread products.

Here's this week's menu. We have date night planned for Saturday and my fiance' normally cooks on Sunday so I've planned for Monday - Friday this week (in no particular order below).

1. Steak Fajitas
2. Family Size Burrito

3. Cabbage Rolls
4. Homemade pizza
5. Pork Chops with Cider Gravy, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Sauteed Apples and Onions

To see more menu plans, visit Organized Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Weight Watcher's Weigh In - 7/11/2009

I did it!! I lost 3.6 pounds on the Weight Watcher scale this week. I hit the 30 pound mark (goal #4)!! I was able to put my next goal in place on Saturday. I will be trying to get to a weight loss of 38.2 pounds by August 8th.

One thing that I will be focusing on this week is getting 5 servings of fruits/vegetables of different colors. Yes, different colors. Did you know there were various colors of vegetables and fruit? Not just red fruit and green vegetables. (It's a joke.) Many people eat the same vegetables over and over and even cook them the same way each time. Sooner or later you'll get burned out. So, try adding vegetables to your meals...load your burger or deli meat sandwich with lettuce, tomato, onions, cucumbers or add fruit to your cereal, English muffin or salad.

Getting to my goal #5 isn't going to happen unless I start working out. I need to get those tennis shoes on and hit the pavement, treadmill, elliptical or whatever it may be. I need to grab those weights and start reaching for the ceiling. I've really got to do something. You would be amazed at how little I exercise these days. If it weren't for cleaning, chasing the kids and walking here and there, I probably wouldn't have any physical activity in my day (since I returned to work).

My goal, as I mentioned earlier, is to lose 6.8 pounds before August 8. That's 4 weeks - about 1.7 pounds a week. Let the workouts begin!!

How are you doing on your weight loss goals? What's your goal that you're working on now? Are you trying to hit a certain weight or fit into a particular outfit?

Goal 12/31/09	56.2
2009 Weight Loss-to-date	-26.4

Weight Watcher Weight Loss (Updated on Saturday)

Goal #5 - Aug 8	38.2
Weight Loss (since 3/11/09)	-31.4

Weigh In Wednesday - 7/8/09

This week I weighed in down 1.6 pounds. I was pretty excited. It's that time of the month that you dread even looking at a scale especially when you have the overly bloated feeling.

I had a post typed and saved but not sure what happened to it so today's post will actually be short. I'll talk more about a few topics on Saturday when I post my Weight Watcher weigh in amounts. I'm hoping to lose at least 2.2 pounds this week to put me at the 30 pound mark. I have my next mini goal in mind if I do hit my goal #4 - 30 pounds. It's going to take some work in the exercise department to hit my goal #5.

How's your weight loss this week? Try any new exercises?

Goal 12/31/09	56.2
2009 Weight Loss-to-date	-26.4

Weight Watcher Weight Loss (Updated on Saturday)

Goal #4	30
Weight Loss (since 3/11/09)	-27.8

Coupon Inserts for 7/12/09

There will be 2 insert in Sunday's paper - July 12, 2009. It will be a Smart Source and Red Plum insert.

Remember that when you purchase your paper from the store, you are not guaranteed coupon inserts. I would check each paper before purchasing multiples. Or save money and trees, purchase only the coupons you need at The Coupon Clippers.

Weight Watcher Weigh In - Nope!

I don't know what I was thinking the other day when I typed my weekly Weigh In Wednesday post. I forgot that Saturday was the 4th of July and Weight Watchers was closed. I didn't get a chance to weigh in at Weight Watchers this week. So, the Weight Watchers weight loss will not be updated until Saturday, July 11.

Since I couldn't get on the scale at Weight Watchers, I decided to step on my scale Saturday morning. I weighed in down 1.6 pounds (from Wednesday morning). I did this to see if the weekend would take toll on my weight loss. I returned back to the scale this morning. I was down another .2 pounds since Saturday morning. I'm hoping the scale reflects the same or better on Wednesday morning when I actually record my weight loss.

I did drink a lot of water this weekend. I took 20 bottles of water and came home with 3. Each time I returned to the house (picking up items we left behind), I grabbed a new bottle of water. I think that would be an additional 4. I walked all day yesterday too. The weather was nice and my fiance' and I wanted to check out all the acres and walking trails. Even though I didn't do much running and strength training, I think the walking as well as lifting and carrying helped.

Stay tuned for my weekly weigh in on Wednesday...

Just a Reminder: Home Depot Kid's Clinic - July 4th - 9am - Noon

Just a reminder that there will be a Kid's Clinic at the Home Depot today.

July 4th @ Home Depot – 9am-noon: Picnic Caddy

Coupon Inserts for 7/5/2009

Normally, there aren't any coupon inserts in the paper on holiday weekends but there will be 1 insert in Sunday's paper - July 5, 2009. It will be a P&G insert.

Remember that when you purchase your paper from the store, you are not guaranteed coupon inserts. I would check each paper before purchasing multiples. Or save money and trees, purchase only the coupons you need at The Coupon Clippers.

Weigh In Wednesday - 7/1/2009

Well, I weighed in yesterday on my scale. I was down 3.8 pounds. I'm thinking that last week when I told you I didn't have a weight loss on Wednesday but did on Friday that it might have been me reading the scale wrong. I actually didn't count the Friday loss since it wasn't my normal weigh in day. I'm almost to my halfway point on my weight loss goal for the year - yippy!

I had set a goal of losing 56.2 pounds by the end of the year. I was looking at the weight that I currently was and what I'd like to be. However, I'm finding that number may be a little less...well, as of today. I don't want to be skin and bones. I want to be fit, toned and trimmed. As of today, I am able to fit into my size 10 clothes (size 8 bathing suit). It's been more than 5 years since I've been that size. It's great to be able to donate those larger size clothes.

Since returning to work, I haven't really spent as much time with my extended family and some friends. This past weekend we attended an anniversary party. There were people that I hadn't seen in months. I received lots of compliments. I had one friend tell me she didn't recognize me when we got out of the car. She wants my secret. Really, I have no secret. I have been following Weight Watchers and do not keep that a secret. I work out occasionally (sometimes hardly ever) and I have really changed my way of eating. I am probably the healthiest eater in our house. I eat vegetables and fruit that I never imagined eating. There are times I even crave vegetables (if it's possible).

This weekend we will be camping for the 4th of July holiday. We aren't going far but we will be away from home. I have picked up some items that I can enjoy with out regretting it on Monday. I will be taking: grapes, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, apples, lettuce, peppers, onions, mushrooms, baby carrots, chicken, Ball Park Frank Fat Free hot dogs, sandwich thins, ketchup, mustard and these desserts.

I've been working out a lot more than usual and will continue that over the weekend and next week. I will report my Weight Watcher weight loss as soon as I can. I will be going to weigh in on Saturday but will not have internet access to post about it.

How are you doing on your weight loss goals?

Goal 12/31/09	56.2
2009 Weight Loss-to-date	-24.8

Weight Watcher Weight Loss (Updated on Saturday)

Goal #4	30
Weight Loss (since 3/11/09)	-27.8